How do environmental factors affect tissue morphology over time?
Environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, and exposure to toxins can have profound long-term effects on tissue morphology. Prolonged exposure to air pollution has been linked to chronic inflammation and fibrosis in lung tissue, potentially leading to conditions like pulmonary fibrosis. Radiation exposure, whether from medical treatments or environmental sources, can cause DNA damage and result in cellular atypia, increased apoptosis, and long-term risk of cancer. Toxins like asbestos, when inhaled, can lead to the development of mesothelioma, characterized by abnormal growth of mesothelial cells.
