ABSTRACT
ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM The lung is a remarkable organ in that it does not become functional until birth and then must be prepared to function adequately, or it would put the life of the organism at risk. From the moment of birth the lung provides the body with oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide. Over the past few decades it has become increasingly apparent that both environmental and genetic factors operating during early life can induce persistent alterations in the respiratory system.
