This key facts covers Respiratory Diseases and Health within Gas Exchange in Humans for GCSE Biology. Lung structure, alveoli adaptations, breathing mechanism, gas transport in blood, and effects of smoking It is section 10 of 19 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 10 of 19
Practice
19 questions
Recall
23 flashcards
Respiratory Diseases and Health
Asthma
- Cause: Airways become inflamed and narrow
- Symptoms: Wheezing, breathlessness, coughing
- Treatment: Bronchodilators (inhalers) to open airways
- Triggers: Allergens, exercise, cold air, stress
Lung Cancer
- Cause: Usually smoking (90% of cases)
- Symptoms: Persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain
- Prevention: Don't smoke, avoid secondhand smoke
- Impact: Reduced gas exchange, damaged alveoli
Emphysema
- Cause: Long-term smoking damage
- Effect: Alveoli break down, reduced surface area
- Symptoms: Severe breathlessness, reduced exercise capacity
- Irreversible: Damage cannot be repaired
COVID-19
- Cause: SARS-CoV-2 virus infection
- Effect: Inflammation of alveoli, reduced gas exchange
- Symptoms: Breathlessness, loss of smell/taste
- Severe cases: May require oxygen therapy