What is emphysema?

Emphysema is an irreversible condition in which the alveoli, or end points of the air passages, can no longer efficiently squeeze old air out of the body. Instead of appearing like flexible clusters of grapes, they instead merge together and harden. Stale air trapped inside the lungs prevents fresh air from getting into the body.

Two contestants. Two sample "lungs". One goal. Fill the container with air before your opponent. Using water to represent air, two contestants have a race to the finish. One works with a simulated emphysemous lung full of stiff ping pong balls. The other uses a "healthy" lung full of absorbent sponges.