Question
Smoking causes tar to coat the inside of the alveoli. This causes the alveoli to merge together. How does this affect a) the surface area of the lungs? It increases It decreases It stays the same b) how well gases can move between the lungs and the blood? It increases It decreases It stays the same
Answer
4.2
(232 Votes)
Quentin
Professional · Tutor for 6 years
Answer
It decreases.b) 【Explanation】: The ability of gases to move between the lungs and blood relates directly to the condition of the alveoli. This process, referred to as gas exchange, mainly takes place within the alveoli. When tar from cigarette smoke causes the alveoli to merge together, the effective surface area for this process is significantly reduced, leading to decreased fresh air intake and less efficient movement and exchange of gases between the lungs and blood. Thus, in effect, smoking hinders our respiratory system's capacity to absorb necessary oxygen and eliminate waste carbon dioxide efficiently. 【Answer】: It decreases.
Explanation
The alveoli perform a crucial role in gas exchange in the lungs due to their large surface area. When an individual smokes, tar is deposited on the alveoli, causing them to coalesce or merge. Unfortunately, this transformation decreases the total surface area available for gas exchange, thus inhibiting pulmonary function.