What condition does the following statement describe?
Prolonged exposure to pollutants, such as cigarette smoke, degrades the walls of the alveoli, making them inelastic.

This condition is called ___________

Respuesta :

Emphysema. Hopes this helps.

Answer:

Emphysema

Explanation:

Smoking and exposure to other air pollutants result in breakdown of the respiratory membrane. It leads to presence of lesser number of alveoli as most of them are degenerated. The resultant reduced surface area for diffusion of gases into blood leads to reduced gas exchange. The trapped air in alveoli makes the process of exhalation difficult. All these conditions leads to larger and less elastic lungs.