Final answer:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs, while chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that causes chronic poor airflow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs, characterized by periodic inflammation, swelling, and narrowing of the airways. This can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. On the other hand, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by chronic poor airflow, resulting in shortness of breath and a productive cough. COPD is primarily caused by smoking, which leads to the breakdown of connective tissues in the lungs and reduces the elasticity and number of alveoli, making it challenging to exhale air fully from the lungs.