Final answer:
Emby's lungs likely have emphysema, a disease affecting the alveoli and reducing gas exchange, often caused by smoking. Alveoli are crucial for breathing and are supported by the diaphragm, with conditions like pneumonia also affecting lung function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Emphysema and the Alveoli in Mammalian Lungs
The unique aspect of Emby's lungs likely refers to a condition known as emphysema, which is a chronic lung disease. In emphysema, the walls of the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, are damaged. This damage reduces the surface area available for gas exchange, making it difficult for oxygen to move into the blood and for carbon dioxide to be expelled. In mammals, the alveoli are crucial for breathing and resemble clusters of tiny grapes. They are surrounded by capillaries, where the exchange of gases occurs. The diaphragm, along with the chest wall and intercostal muscles, plays a vital role in facilitating this process. A respiratory condition like emphysema can disrupt normal breathing patterns and is often associated with smoking.
Respiratory health is also related to the ability of lung tissue to expel air due to surface tension in the alveoli; this natural process can be supported by respirators in medical situations. Pneumonia is another condition that affects the lungs, characterized by fluid-filled alveoli that hinder gas exchange, leading to symptoms such as coughing and difficulty breathing.