Question

Using the information on the introduction to activity 2, how do conditions such as emphysema and asthma affect a person’s ability to breathe?

Answer 1

During emphysema, the alveoli are damaged. With the course of time, the inner walls of the alveoli get weakened and rupture causing development of larger air spaces. This causes reduction in the surface area of the lungs which decreases the amount of oxygen reaching in the body.

During asthma, there is inflammation of airways which make them swollen up. This narrow down the area, and, the air moves slowly with resistance. The increased secretion of mucus also causes difficulty in breathing.