Back to AI Flashcard MakerBiology /Biology IB HL - 6.4 Gas Exchange Part 3
How do mutagenic chemicals i.e carcinogens lead to the development of lung cancer?
The effects of these mutagenic chemicals can lead to cancer in smokers as well as the passive smokers inhaling their second hand smoke
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Term
Definition
How do mutagenic chemicals i.e carcinogens lead to the development of lung cancer?
The effects of these mutagenic chemicals can lead to cancer in smokers as well as the passive smokers inhaling their second hand smoke
What 4 factors can lead to the development of lung cancer?
Inhalation of air pollution; Tobacco; Radon has; Asbestos & Silica
How does air pollution result in lung cancer?
Inhalation of air pollution similarly, can result in lung cancer; In cities, average rates of lung cancer diagnoses are much higher due to high levels...
How can radon gas lead to lung cancer? Where is it found?
Radon gas is a radioactive gas which can contribute to the numbers of lung cancer in some areas more than others; Radon is released from rocks and bui...
How do silica and asbestos affect lung cancer?
Various building materials, such as asbestos and silica, produce small dust particles which can cause lung cancer if they are inhaled; There are stric...
What are symptoms of lung cancer?
Breathing difficulties; Coughing, sometimes coughing up blood; Chest pains; Loss of appetite and weight loss; Persistent fatigue; Tumours can form in ...
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
How do mutagenic chemicals i.e carcinogens lead to the development of lung cancer? | The effects of these mutagenic chemicals can lead to cancer in smokers as well as the passive smokers inhaling their second hand smoke |
What 4 factors can lead to the development of lung cancer? | Inhalation of air pollution; Tobacco; Radon has; Asbestos & Silica |
How does air pollution result in lung cancer? | Inhalation of air pollution similarly, can result in lung cancer; In cities, average rates of lung cancer diagnoses are much higher due to high levels of vehicle exhaust fumes and smoke from burning organic matter |
How can radon gas lead to lung cancer? Where is it found? | Radon gas is a radioactive gas which can contribute to the numbers of lung cancer in some areas more than others; Radon is released from rocks and buildings made from rocks containing high levels of radon gas |
How do silica and asbestos affect lung cancer? | Various building materials, such as asbestos and silica, produce small dust particles which can cause lung cancer if they are inhaled; There are strict rules about using or working with materials, such as asbestos and silica, to minimise exposure and therefore the associated risks |
What are symptoms of lung cancer? | Breathing difficulties; Coughing, sometimes coughing up blood; Chest pains; Loss of appetite and weight loss; Persistent fatigue; Tumours can form in the lungs; In severe cases, the primary tumours metastasize and lead to the formation of secondary tumours elsewhere in the body |
What are 3 treatments for lung cancer? | Chemotherapy; Radiotherapy; Lung removal |
What is emphysema an example of? | Emphysema is an example of a Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which also includes lung diseases such as asthma and chronic bronchitis |
What is present in the lungs which can contribute to emphysema later? | In a healthy lung, some phagocytes are present as part of the non-specific immune response to protect against bacteria found in the lungs |
What enzyme do phagocytes produce in the lung and why? | Phagocytes produce the protein-digesting enzyme, elastase to destroy bacteria |
What does elastase break down apart from bacteria? | Elastase also breaks down proteins in the cells of the lungs, including elastin |
What prevents elastase from damaging normal healthy lungs? | An enzyme inhibitor, alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), is produced by lung cells to prevent damage caused by elastase |
What happens to goblet cells in smokers? | In smokers, goblet cells in the ciliated epithelium become enlarged and produce more mucus which destroys the cilia in the trachea |
What does the destruction of cilia lead to? | This prevents cilia from sweeping mucus, containing bacteria, dust and other microorganisms away from the lungs, this leads to infections in the lungs |
What does the increased amount of mucus (containing pathogens) cause? | Infections attract more phagocytes to the lungs and the phagocytes release elastase |
Why does elastase cause damage in the lungs with emphysema, and not in healthy lungs? | A1AT is not effective against the increased levels of elastase and so the enzyme damages the elasticity of the alveolar walls |
What happens when alveoli lose elasticity? | Without enough elastin, the alveoli break down and may burst, creating large air spaces in the alveoli with an insufficient surface area to volume ratio |
What in emphysema decreases diffusion rates? | Thickening of the alveolar walls increases the diffusion distance for gas exchange |
What does a decreased efficiency for gas exchange cause in emphysema? | This reduces the efficiency of gas exchange, causing emphysema where less oxygen is carried in blood (making exercise difficult) |
What do people need in end stage emphysema? | Once the disease progresses, people often need a constant supply of oxygen to stay alive |
Can emphysema be reversed? | NO | Damage to the alveoli which result in emphysema, is irreversible |
What is the overall result of emphysema in terms of blood composition? | It leads to low blood oxygen levels and high carbon dioxide levels in patients |
What are the symptoms of emphysema? | Shortness of breath or laboured ventilation; A chronic or persistent cough; Chest tightness; Wheezing and difficulty breathing when exercising or during any physical activity; Lack of energy |
How do lungs increase overall rate of gas exchange? | The lungs are also structured to have a very large surface area, so as to increase the overall rate of gas exchange |
What are the 4 adaptations of alveoli? | thin epithelial layer; rich capillary network; spherical in shape; surfactant |