Describe how components of tobacco smoke can affect the cardiovascular system.

Tobacco smoke contains nicotine. Nicotone makes platelets 'sticky' and more likely to form 'blood clots' which can block arteries in the heart, causing a myocardial infarction (heart attack) as well as block arteries in the brain resulting in a stroke. Nicotine also causes the release of adrenaline which results in vasoconstriction of small arteries. Tobacco smoke also causes an increase of carbon monoxide in the blood. This permanently binds to haemoglobin, forming carboxyhaemoglobin. Carboxyhaemoglobin is unable to bind more oxygen which resilts in an overall reduced carrying capacity of oxgyen by the blood.

SS
Answered by Savan S. Biology tutor

5474 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does a vaccine lead to the production of antibodies against a virus?


Describe the role of the loops of Henle in the process of concentrating urine.


How is heart rate controlled?


Why would a deletion mutation in the DNA base sequence lead to the production of a non-functional enzyme?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences