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One of the main constituents of cigarettes is tar. This can eventually end up in smokers' lungs, which then leads to blockages. The surface area of the lungs is then greatly diminished, resulting in a decreased lung capacity for gas exchange to take place.When this is in your lungs it makes your lung capacity even worse.

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14y ago
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12y ago

One of the mechanisms is that:

Alpha 1 antitrypsin (an alpha 1 globulin) normally inhibits proteases and thus elastases also. Normally; due to negative control on elastases, elastic component of lungs is maintained with proper physical characteristics. The compound does it so by binding with proteases through amino acid methionine at 358 position in its chain.

In a smoker; the methionine is oxidised to methionine sulfoxidase; which cannot bind to proteases. As inhibition is released, elastic components of lung start degrading by action of these enzymes. Thus, smoker gets emphysema or other disorders and it causes decrease in vital capacity as distensibility (compliance/stretchability) decreases. Smokers with alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency have a worse condition.

Smoking destroys alveoli and capillaries therefore not as much oxygen can be absorbed by the lungs/body.

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11y ago

It clogs your lungs up with the harmful smoke so the more you smoke, the blacker your lungs become, you can compare a smokers lungs to a person who doesn't smoke and you'll clearly see the picture.

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8y ago

yes, smoking does affect your lung capacity. because when you smoke the cilia in your lungs disappears causing mucus and infection.

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14y ago

http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Smoking-Damage-the-Lung-and-Brain&id=1754802 :)

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11y ago

by making our bones and muscles damage.

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Q: Why does smoking affect lung capacity?
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Related questions

Does smoking affect lung capacity?

Yes, no matter what you are smoking, you lungs will get r*ped.


How much air does the right lung hold?

Lung capacity is different for every person. Height, weight, age, health, smoking/non-smoking, etc. all affect your personal lung capacity. This question is impossible to determine. (There are general estimates out there, but they aren't very accurate.)


Does smoking hurt your lung capacity?

Obviously


Does gender effect lung capacity?

Yes, gender does affect lung capacity. Other factors that affect lung capacity include age, weight, height and level of fitness.


What variables affect lung capacity?

Vital capacity is a term which refers to the maximum volume someone can breathe in his lungs [ the max volume of air inhaled after a max exhalation]. It depends on many factors. How fit someone is, smoking, obesity, height, sex, body size and the posture of the body [when someone lies his vital capacity is less than standing]. Also when playing a flute instrument you'll increase your vital capacity,


Which diseases or disorders affect your lungs?

lung clots,smoking can give you lung cancer


What organs would affect lung capacity?

The lungs and heart, when diseased or injured could decrease lung capacity. Obesity would also reduce lung capacity


How does smoking affect bodybuilders?

Smoking affects bodybuilders by decreasing their lung function and oxygen levels.


Does asthma affect lung capacity?

It would affect it because Simeon Gotzev wanted it to affect it


Does smoking have affect on lung capacity?

Smoking can damage your lungs and make breathing difficult. The longer you smoke and the more you smoke, the more damage you do. Quitting can be hard, but there is help available. Not quitting can cause chronic symptoms and lifethreatening conditions. So this is what it should be.


What does 65 percent of lung capacity mean?

It means that 65% of a persons lungs are working, while 35% is not working, likely due to smoking. Emphysema is a good example of a disease that reduces lung capacity.


How does smoking affect physical development?

Smoking causes chronic, repetitive lung infections. You've got a lot of reserve, but every infection adds another micro-scar to the lung.