Question

does breathing in smoke with the cilia damaged and mucus produced increase or decrease the rate of respiration?

Answer 1

Sticky mucus in the lungs traps pathogens. The mucus is normally swept out of the lungs by the cilia on the epithelial cells lining the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles. However, cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that paralyse these cilia, leading to a build-up of mucus and a smoker’s cough. Smoke irritates the bronchi, causing bronchitis.

Answer 2

Smoking damages and eventually destroys these cilia. When the cilia become less effective at keeping the lungs clear, smokers may develop a habitual cough as they attempt to remove the mucus from their lungs. Smokers are at increased risk of contracting pneumonia and other respiratory infections.