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Biological consequences of smoking

Smoking can have major negative biological effects on the human body. Tobacco smoke contains, tar, nicotine, metals, the majority of the particulate matter that is inhaled by a smoker is composed of tar. Within a particle of tar, there are many different harmful organic chemical identified as carcinogens and tumor initiators. Tar in its solid from is the component that stains the teeth and fingers of smokers. This substances also can stain and damage the lung tissue. Tar also increases the production of mucous and phlegm.

Nicotine has many harmful effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, constriction of blood vessels, and damage to the muscles, hormonal systems, and metabolism. Nicotine can also increases platelet stickiness in the blood which can cause blockage and cause coronary diseases.

Carbon monoxide is formed when a cigarette is lit. It is odorless and tasteless and in large dose, it is fatal. Carbon monoxide is linked with coronary heart disease and affecting vision. Al though carbon monoxide is not a carcinogen, it is thought to contribute to certain cancer, including lung cancer. Carbon monoxide inhibits the respiratory systems ability to clean out the airways with mucus.

When carbon monoxide enters the airways, it stays along with other toxic chemicals contained in cigarette smoke. These toxins cause inflammation, impair lung functions, and increase the risk of long disease. Nitrogen oxides are found in high dose in cigarette smoke. It is responsible for causing lung damage leading to emphysema. Hydrogen cyanide is proven to have a Destructive effect on the cilia.

The cilia are a part of the long clearance system in humans. When the lung clearance system is damaged and toxic agents build up, the likelihood of developing a disease increases. Thirty different metals have been found in cigarette smoke. many of which have been linked to cancer. A few of the metals found are; arsenic, nickel, cadmium, chromium, and lead. Along with metals, radioactive compounds have been found in cigarettes, all of them being carcinogens.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is also a respiratory disease, which is more common in men then in the women. The most common causes are smoking, industrial carcinogens and air pollution. Symptoms of lung cancer are cough with sputum, breathlessness and pleural chest pain. Cancer is very dangerous and fatal disease, which results from the uncontrolled cell division.

Tar of cigarettes is one of the major causes of the lung cancer. The chemicals produced by the smoke of cigarette damages the cells of the internal epithelium of lunge and air tubes which can lead to the thickening of their walls ultimately blocking them.

IMPORTANT P0INTS v Cigarette smoke contains five main ingredient I.e. nicotine, tar carbon monoxide, irritants and carcinogens (cancer producing).

v Tar is the major cause of lung cancer. Tar is a brown black sticky substance. It is then deposits in lung where it passes into blood. It also damages the cell of wind pipe.

v Cigarette smoke also contain nicotine. It is a addictive drug and dissolves in fats of body. It is very difficult to excrete it from the body because it dissolves in fats and insoluble in water. Small quantity of nicotine in the blood stream speed up the activity of the nervous system.

v Cancerous lung become brownish or blackish as compare to the lung of a healthy person. Because tar deposits on the lining of lungs branchial[S1] tub.

v Filters are used by smokers to filter the tar of the smoke so that it may not reach the lung.

v Observe the following photographs of lung of a healthy person and that of a smoker.