Question

The data below shows the concentration of nicotine smoked by a smoker taking 10 puffs/minute.

(a) With reference to the above graph explain the concentration of nicotine in blood at 10 minutes.

(b) How will this affect the concentration of carbon monoxide and haembound oxygen at 10 minutes?

(c) How does cigarette smoking result in high blood pressure and increase in heart rate?

OR

(c) How does cigarette smoking result in lung cancer and emphysema?

Answer 1

(a) Concentration of nicotine is maximum at 10 minutes/conc. of nicotine increases steadily in the blood to reach 45mg/cm³.

(b) The Concentration of CO will increase resulting in a reduced concentration of haembound oxygen.

(c) Nicotine results in stimulating the adrenal gland which results in the release of adrenaline/nor-adrenaline in the blood resulting in an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

OR

(c) Chemical carcinogens present in tobacco smoke are the major cause of lung cancer.

Cigarette smoke irritates the air passages of the lungs causing them to produce mucus which causes coughs resulting in enlarging air spaces/reduce surface area/loss their elasticity thus difficulty in breathing causing emphysema.