B7 Non-communicable diseases

Question 1

What is a tumour?

Answer 1

a lump of cells formed as a result of uncontrolled cell division

Question 2

Benign tumour

Answer 2

a growth of abnormal cells (usually within the membrane) that is non-invasive and therefore not cancerous

Question 3

How can benign tumours be dangerous?

Answer 3

If it causes pressure or damage to an organ

Question 4

Malignant tumour

Answer 4

a fast-growing tumour that is cancerous and can invade and spread to other areas of the body

Question 5

How do malignant tumours spread?

Answer 5

it splits up, releasing small clumps of cells into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. They are carried to different parts of the body where they may lodge in another organ. Then they continue their uncontrolled growth and form secondary tumours

Question 6

Causes of cancer

Answer 6

genetic risk factors, mutations caused by carcinogens, ionising radiation, and some viruses

Question 7

Two main ways of treating cancer

Answer 7

radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Question 8

Radiotherapy

Answer 8

cancer cells are destroyed by targeted doses of radiation

Question 9

Chemotherapy

Answer 9

chemicals are used to either stop the cancer cells dividing or make them ‘self-destruct’

Question 10

Carbon monoxide

Answer 10

a poisonous gas found in tobacco smoke which takes up to 10% of the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity

Question 11

Smoking during pregnancy

Answer 11

if the mother’s blood is carrying carbon monoxide, the fetus may not get enough oxygen to grow properly

Question 12

Effects of tar

Answer 12

a toxic compound found in tobacco smoke. The build of tar in the delicate lung tissue can lead to a breakdown in the structure of the alveoli, causing COPD. This reduces the surface area to volume ratio of the lungs. Tar is also a carcinogen

Question 13

Effects of smoking on the heart

Answer 13

smoking narrows the blood vessels of the skin. Nicotine makes the heart rate increase and other chemicals damage the lining of the arteries, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease.

Question 14

Effects of exercise on health

Answer 14

more muscle tissue means a higher metabolic rate, so you are less likely to be overweight. This reduces the risk of arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Exercise lowers your blood cholesterol levels and helps balance the different types, reducing the risk of heart disease

Question 15

In type 2 diabetes your body either doesn’t make enough…

Answer 15

insulin to control your blood sugar levels or your cells stop responding to insulin

Question 16

After an alcoholic drink, the ethanol…

Answer 16

is absorbed into the blood from the gut and passes easily into the body tissues, including the brain

Question 17

What is cirrhosis of the liver?

Answer 17

a disease caused by alcohol that destroys the liver tissue. The active liver cells are replaced with scar tissue that cannot carry out vital functions

Question 18

Alcohol is a carcinogen so heavy drinkers are at increased risk of developing…

Answer 18

liver cancer

Question 19

Effects of alcohol on the brain

Answer 19

In some alcoholics, the brain becomes so soft and pulpy that the normal brain structures are lost and it can no longer function properly

Question 20

Effects of alcohol in pregnancy

Answer 20

If a pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol is passed across the placenta into the baby. The developing liver cannot cope with alcohol, so the development of the brain and body can be badly affected

Question 21

How does ionising radiation cause cancer?

Answer 21

the radiation penetrates the cells and damages the chromosomes, causing mutations in the DNA

Question 22

Well-known sources of ionising radiation

Answer 22

UV light from the sun, radioactive materials found in soil, water and air, medical and dental x-rays, and accidents in nuclear power generation