Why Does Cigarette Smoke Cause a Smoker's Skin to Wrinkle

Question

Why does cigarette smoke cause a smoker's skin to wrinkle over time?
A) The fibroblast cells that secrete proteins to the skin are degraded.
B) The collagen and elastin matrix that holds skin to muscle is broken down.
C) The ground substance in skin is converted to protein fibers.
D) The nervous tissue that makes skin tighten is destroyed.

Accepted Answer

Cigarette smoke contains toxins that break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that make up the matrix that holds skin to muscle. As a result, the skin becomes less elastic and more prone to wrinkling over time.