The persistent cough of chronic bronchitis in a smoker develops because
Correct answer: C. smoke paralyses the cilia and stimulates extra mucus, which then collects in the airways
- A. the alveoli fill with blood
- B. the ribs lose their cartilage
- C. smoke paralyses the cilia and stimulates extra mucus, which then collects in the airways
- D. the vocal cords are permanently inflamed
Explanation
Cilia that normally sweep the mucus escalator upwards are stopped by the smoke, while the irritation makes goblet cells secrete more mucus, so it pools in the bronchi and can only be cleared by coughing. The stagnant mucus also becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, which is why chest infections are frequent. Much of this damage is reversible when a person stops smoking.
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About Effects of Smoking
Smoking exposes the respiratory system to nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide, damaging cilia, reducing oxygen transport and narrowing or inflaming airways. The topic covers dependence, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and cardiovascular effects, while separating short-term physiological changes from long-term disease.
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