Final answer:
The student's question about lung tissue losing elasticity addresses how aging affects the elasticity of tissues, leading to changes in organ functions such as the skin, arteries, and lungs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lung tissue gradually loses its elasticity as part of the natural aging process. This decrease in elasticity affects various organs and tissues throughout the body, a phenomenon known as senescence.
The elasticity of tissues like the skin, arteries, and lungs is crucial for their function. For instance, the elastic properties of the arteries facilitate smooth blood flow, and the lungs expand and contract elastically during respiration. As we age, starting from the early 20s, a decrease in elasticity leads to changes such as wrinkling skin, high blood pressure, and a decline in sensory functions. Lung-specific changes, such as stiffening due to decreased pliability and an increase in resistance, can be quantified by changes in the functional expiratory volume in comparison to the total vital capacity.