1B: Lifestyle And Diseases

Question 1

what is the function of platelets?

Answer 1

to prevent blood loss and to prevent cuts from getting infected via pathogens

Question 2

what is the body’s mechanism for blood clotting?

Answer 2

thrombosis

Question 3

what is released when platelets make contact with damaged skin tissue ?

Answer 3

serotonin and thromboplastin

Question 4

what is the function of serotonin during blood clotting?

Answer 4

causes smooth muscles to contract which narrows the blood vessels - this means less blood loss

Question 5

what is the function of thromboplastin during blood clotting?

Answer 5

it’s an enzyme which controls the formation of a clot

Question 6

what does thromboplastin do during the formation of a blood clot?

Answer 6

thromboplastin initiates a cascade system which leads to the formation of a clot?

Question 7

what is the process of thrombosis ?

Answer 7

• thromboplastin catalyses the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin by using calcium ions
• thrombin acts on fibrinogen which is converted to fibrin
• fibrin forms a mesh of fibres around the damaged tissue
• more platelets and blood pour from the wounds and get trapped in the mesh- this forms the clot
• special proteins in the platelets contract, tightening the clot

Question 8

what happens in a thrombus loosens?

Answer 8

an embolus forms which travels through the blood - this can block a blood vessel

Question 9

what happens if a blood vessel is blocked by a embolus?

Answer 9

a heart attack or stroke can occur

Question 10

what is thrombosis?

Answer 10

the formation of a blood clot inside of a blood vessel

Question 11

what is atherosclerosis

Answer 11

a disease that can lead to CHD and strokes

Question 12

what is the problem with fatty deposits

Answer 12

• the deposits can cause an artery to become narrower, increasing the chances of it being completely blocked by a clot (thrombus)
• blood supply to cells can be cut off or limited

cut off blood supply can be lead to a heart attack or stroke

Question 13

differnce between the causes of a heart attack and the causes of a stroke

Answer 13

heart attack : cut off blood supply to heart
stroke : cut off blood supply to brain

Question 14

what can a build up of blood in an artery cause

Answer 14

death if the artery bursts open

Question 15

what is deposition

Answer 15

a process by which substances are added to a surface

Question 16

what is plaque

Answer 16

an abnormal build up of substances or tissue on a body part or organ

Question 17

what is endothelium

Answer 17

a single layer of cells lining various organs and cavities in the body

Question 18

what is cholesterol

Answer 18

a type of lipid made in the liver, found in the blood and in all cells of the body

Question 19

what is an atheroma

Answer 19

a build up of fatty deposits

Question 20

how does an atheroma form

Answer 20

-endothelium lining damaged
- inflammatory response occurs as white blood cells move to the artery
- plaque of WBCs, cholesterol, calcium salts and fibres forms (atheroma)
-leads to artery narrowing and stiffening

Question 21

where is overestimation of risk common

Answer 21

when risks are :
- involuntary
- not natural
- unfamiliar
- dreaded
- unfair
- very small

Question 22

what are perceptions of risk

Answer 22

what really drives peoples behaviour and actions

Question 23

what treatments are available for CVD

Answer 23

• ACE inhibitors
• Statins
• Anticoagulants
• platelet inhibitators

Question 24

what are ACE inhibitors?
How do they work?

Answer 24

(also known as antihypertensives)
used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease

they work by causing the relaxation of blood vessels and a decrease in blood volume - leads to lower blood pressure and lower oxygen demand from the heart

blocks the conversion of Angiotensin I to
Angiotensin II - preventing arterial constriction

Question 25

advantages of ACE inhibitors

Answer 25

help relax the veins and arteries to lower blood pressure- help control heart failure

Question 26

disadvantages of ACE inhibitors

Answer 26

increases potassium levels in blood (hyperkalemia)- can damage heart and cause heart attack, fatigue

Question 27

what are statin?
How do they work?

Answer 27

a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. And protect the inside of artery walls

they work by blocking the enzyme which
produces cholesterol in the liver

Question 28

advantages of statins

Answer 28

lowering cholesterol and protecting against a heart attack and stroke

Question 29

disadvantages of statins

Answer 29

muscle pain, digestive isseus, liver damage, nausea

Question 30

what are anticoagulants?
How do they work?

Answer 30

they help reduce blood clotting and reduce chances of blood vessel becoming blocked by a blood clot

they work by thinning the blood -> less blood clotting happens as there is less risk of the artery lining becoming damaged

Question 31

advantages of anticoagulants

Answer 31

ca be used on people who already have blood clots/ heart disease
also prevents existing clots from growing and prevents new ones forming

Question 32

disadvantage of anticoagulants

Answer 32

can cause excessive bleeding, fainting, death, swelling of tissues, cannot get rid of blood clots

Question 33

what are platelet inhibitory drugs ?
How do they work?

Answer 33

They make platelets less sticky therefore help prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries

Question 34

advantages of platelet inhibitors

Answer 34

can be used to treat people who already have blood clots/CVD

Question 35

disadvantages of platelet inhibitors

Answer 35

excessive bleeding, liver function problems, diarrhoea, nausea, rashes