Emphysema

What is Emphysema?

A lung condition in which the walls of the alveoli are damaged and break down, so that many small air sacs are replaced by fewer, larger spaces. This greatly reduces the total surface area available for gas exchange, so less oxygen can diffuse into the blood and breathlessness results.

This definition is part of the Disease and Immunity chapter in Cambridge O Level Biology.

Concepts related to Emphysema

• Alveolus
• surface area
• tar

Common mistakes with Emphysema

• "Every smoker gets lung cancer." The relationship is an increased risk across a population, not a certainty for an individual. Write Smoking is strongly associated with an increased risk of bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and coronary heart disease.