Causes of disease #2 Flashcards
List two waste products of the body
-Carbon dioxide (CO2)
-Urea
Describe how Carbon Dioxide and Urea build up in the body and cause disease
Carbon dioxide build up in the body happens when the lungs cannot remove it properly, often due to lung disease or poor ventilation. This condition is called hypercapnia. when co2 builds up in the blood it forms carbonic acid and increases acidity in the blood (acidosis). this can disrupt cell function and can lead to narcosis.
Urea builds up in the body when the kidneys are not working properly and cant filter waste from the blood. This is called uremia. As urea levels rise, it can cause unpleasant side effects and even damage to the heart or nerves.
Once in the blood, the majority of carbon dioxide will react with water to be transported through blood within which of the following chemicals?
-Urea
-Serotonin
-Bicarbonate
-Galactose
Bicarbonate
What organ excretes (removes) carbon dioxide from the body?
Lungs (via diffusion into air during external respiration)
The kidneys filter out most of our waste products. Which part of the nephron does the actual filtering of waste?
-Loop of Henle
-Proximal Convoluted Tubule
-Distal Convoluted Tubule
-Glomerulus
Glomerulus
Excretion is the process by which the body eliminates waste and excess products. The main methods of excretion are?
Ventilation (breathing)
Urination
Defecation
Filtration happens by diffusion – substances moving from a higher concentration to a lower concentration without using energy. However, the kidney also does another process that uses energy to actively move out waste products. What is this process called?
-Osmosis
-Secretion
-Reabsorption
-Phagocytosis
Secretion
DNA serves as the coding template that eventually makes proteins. DNA does this because it has 4 different nucleotide bases, and the order of these bases determines what proteins are made by the cell. The 4 nucleotide bases of DNA are thymine, adenine, guanine and ….
-Uracil
-Cytosine
-Ribose
-Phosphate
Cytosine
The first step of making proteins is called transcription. In transcription, DNA opens up so that messenger RNA (mRNA) can form a code of nucleotide bases from the DNA code. RNA also has the nucleotide bases of adenine, guanine, and cytosine, but which of these bases in RNA replaces thymine in DNA?
-Uracil
-Xanthum
-Ribose
-Phosphate
Uracil
After transcription, the mRNA leaves the nucleus where the DNA is and travels to the ribosome. The next step of proteins synthesis, translation, occurs on the ribosome. In translation, transfer RNA (tRNA) comes and matches up against the mRNA. What does the tRNA bring with it?
-proteins
-polypeptides
-fatty acids
-amino acids
amino acids
Because controlling the level of acid is so important for maintaining homeostasis, the body has several buffers that help “soak up” extra acid, but which can also release acid if pH becomes to high. Which of the following are examples of buffers?
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Haemoglobin (Hb)
Plasma proteins- Albumin
describe how a lack of homeostasis of Fluid/blood can cause disease
A lack of homeostatis of fluid/blood can cause disease by disripting the bodys ability to maintain proper volume and pressure.
-too little fluid (hypovolemia), often from dehydration or blood loss, can reduce blood flow to organs, leading to organ failure
-too much fluid (hypervolemia) can increase blood pressure and cause swelling, which puts strain on the heart and lungs.
an imbalnce affects how well oxygen, nutrients and waste are transported, which can harm cells and organs
describe how a lack of homeostasis of Hormones
can cause disease
A lack of homeostasis of hormones can cause disease by disrupting the normal functioning of organs and tissues.
-too little hormones, too little tyroid hormone can slow down metabolism, causing fatigue, weight gain and low heart rate or blood pressure
-too much tyroid hormone can speed up the bodys processes too much, leading to anxiety, high heart rate and high blood pressure.
hormonal imbalances affect how the body regulates growth, metabolism, mood and other critical functions, and can lead to serious health issues if not corrected.
describe how a lack of homeostasis of neurotransmitters
can cause disease
A lack of homeostasis of neurotransmitters can cause disease by disrupting communication between nerves and other cells.
-Too little of a neurotransmitter, like serotonin or dopamine, can lead to problems like depression, anxiety or difficulty with movement
-Too much of a neurotransmitter, can overstimulate pathways and cause issues like seizures or abnormal mood and behaviour.
Because neurotransmitters help control things like mood, muscle movement and gland activity, any imbalance can seriously affecr how the brain and body function
describe how a lack of homeostasis of Electrolytes
can cause disease
A lack of homeostasis of electrolytes can cause disease by interfering with essential body functions.
-Too little or too much of electrolytes like sodium or potassium can disrupt nerve signals, muscle contractions and fluid balance
for example, low potassium can cause muscle weakness or irregular heart beats, while high sodium can lead to high blood pressure or confusion.
describe how a lack of homeostasis of enzymes
can cause disease
A lack of homeostasis of enzymes can cause disease by disrupting the chemical reactions our bodies rely on.
Enzymes help break down. and build up different substances in the body. If theres too little of a certain type of enzyme, important reactions slow down or stop.
For example in phenylketonuria (PKU), the enzyme needed to break down the amino acid phenylalanine is missing or low, causing it to build up and potentially damage the brain.
when enzyme levels arent balanced, the body cant properly process chemicals, leading to metabolic disorders and health issues.
describe how a lack of homeostasis of clotting factors can cause disease
A lack of homeostasis of clotting factors can cause disease by disrupting the body’s ability to control bleeding or blood flow.
-If there are too few clotting factors, the blood cant clot properly. This can lead to excessive bleeding, even from smal injuries, or serious internal bleeding.
-If theres too many clotting factors, the blood might clot when it shouldnt. this can block blood flow.
Balanced clotting factor levels are essential to prevent both dangerous bleeding and harmful clots.
How do mutagens cause mutations?
Mutagens are things like viruses, UV light, radiation, or certain chemicals that can damage our DNA.
When our DNA is damaged, it can change (mutate), leading to new or different proteins being made.
since proteins control how our cells look and work, these changes can mess up how our cells functions- sometimes causing diseases like cancer.
What is a mutation?
A mutation is a change in the DNA. It can change the proteins made by cells, which might affect how the body works and can sometimes cause disease.
What is a mutagen?
A mutagen is something that causes mutations. It can be a virus, UV light, radiation, or a chemical that damages DNA
How inherited genetic changes (mutations) can cause disease
Inherited genetic changes (mutations) can cause disease if the mutation is passed from parents to children. If the mutation is in the sperm or egg, it can be inherited by the child. Some mutations like those on recessive genes, may not affecr parents but can cause disease in children if both parents pass on the mutated gene. X-linked mutations are also more common in males because they only have on X chromosome.
What are X-linked traits
X-linked traits are traits controlled by genes on the X chromosome. These traits can be passed from parent to child, and because males only have one X chromosome, they are more likely to be affected if that gene has a mutation.
What are X-linked traits, and why are males more likely to develop X-linked disorders?
X-linked traits are genes found on the X chromosome. Males are more likely to develop X-linked disorders because they have only one X chromosome and no second X to “mask” a faulty gene. If that one X has a mutation, it will be expressed. Females gave two X chromosomes, so a normal gene on one X can usally cover up a mutation on the other.
How do genetics, environment, and socioeconomics contribute to disease?
Most diseases are caused by a mix of:
Genetics – inherited risks from family (e.g. high cholesterol, small arteries).
Environment – lifestyle choices (e.g. diet, smoking, exercise, stress).
Socioeconomics – access to healthcare, income, housing, stress levels.
Even with genetic risks, healthy choices and stable living can reduce disease chances. But poor lifestyle or stressful environments can still lead to disease, even without genetic risks.
