Lifestyle & Risk Flashcards
Why do larger organisms require a mass transport system
Diffusion becomes insufficient due to:
- Decreased surface area : volume ratio
- Increased diffusion distance
- Increased metabolic rate
What are the key features of a mass transport system
- Network for movement (e.g. vessels)
- Medium for movement (e.g. blood)
- Controlled direction (via pressure gradients and valves)
- Maintenance of speed (via heart contractions and artery recoil)
What makes water an effective transport medium in biological systems
- It’s a polar solvent
- Cohesion and adhesion due to hydrogen bonding
- High specific heat capacity minimizes temperature fluctuations
What are the structural features of arteries
- Small lumen (maintains high pressure)
- Thick smooth muscle and elastic fibers
- Collagen for strength
Describe the cardiac cycle’s stages
- Atrial systole: Atria contract, AV valves open, blood flows to ventricles
- Ventricular systole: Ventricles contract, AV valves close, semilunar valves open, blood exits
- Cardiac diastole: Chambers relax, semilunar valves close to prevent backflow
What causes atherosclerosis
- Damage to the endothelium
- Inflammatory response attracting white blood cells
- Build-up of cholesterol, calcium salts, and fibers forming plaque
List modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases
- Modifiable: Diet, smoking, physical activity, weight
- Non-modifiable: Genetics, age, gender
What is BMI and how is it calculated
- Body Mass Index
- BMI = Weight (kg) / Height (m2)
Differentiate between HDL and LDL
- HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein): Transports cholesterol to the liver, reduces CVD risk
- LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein): Transports cholesterol to the blood, increases CVD risk
What are common treatments for cardiovascular disease
- Anticoagulants
- Statins (reduce cholesterol)
- Platelet inhibitors
- Antihypertensives
What are the 3 types of saccharides
- Monosaccharides (simple sugar monomers)
- Disaccharides (2 monosaccharides joined)
- Polysaccharides (many monosaccharides joined)
What are the functions of glycogen and starch
- Glycogen: Energy storage in animals, high branched for quick energy release
- Starch: Energy storage in plants, includes amylose (compact) and amylopectin (branched)
How do saturated and unsaturated lipids differ
- Saturated lipids: No carbon-carbon double bonds, solid at room temperature
- Unsaturated lipids: Have carbon-carbon double bonds, liquid at room temperature
What are triglycerides and phospholipids
- Triglycerides: Made of glycerol and 3 fatty acids, used for energy storage
- Phospholipids: 1 fatty acid replaced with a phosphate group, forming cell membranes
What is the role of cholesterol in the body
- Component of cell membranes
- Transported by lipoproteins (HDL & LDL)
- High levels of LDL are linked to atherosclerosis
What are the steps in blood clotting
- Platelets attach to exposed collagen fibers
- Thromboplastin triggers prothrombin –> thrombin conversion
- Thrombin converts fibrinogen –> fibrin
- Fibrin forms a network trapping platelets and red blood cells to create a clot
How is energy balance related to weight changes
- More calories burned than consumed = weight loss
- Fewer calories burned than consumed = weight gain
What is the structure and function of capillaries
- Very small, narrow lumen
- Thin endothelial layer (1 cell thick) for efficient diffusion
What are the side effects of statins
- Nausea
- Inflammation
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Should be combined with a healthy diet for effectiveness
How do beta blockers and diuretics work as antihypertensives
- Beta blockers: Reduce heart contraction strength and frequency
- Diuretics: Increase urine output, lowering blood volume and pressure
What are the compounds and functions of the heart’s septum and tendinous chords
- Septum: Preventing mixing of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood
- Tendinous chords: Preventing AV valves from turning inside out under pressure
What are the properties of water that support life
- High specific heat capacity (temperature stability)
- Cohesion and adhesion (effective transport in plants)
- Solvent for polar molecules (biochemical reactions)
Describe the properties of amylose and amylopectin in starch
- Amylose: Unbranched, coiled, compact for energy storage
- Amylopectin: Branched, allows rapid energy release
What is atherosclerosis and how does it progress
- Damage to the endothelium triggers white blood cell accumulation
- Plaque forms from cholesterol, calcium salts, and fibers
- Plaque narrows arteries, increasing blood pressure and risk of further damage
What factors increase the risk of atherosclerosis
- High cholesterol and blood pressure
- Smoking and obesity
- Genetics, age, and gender
How do HDL and LDL differ in structure and function
- HDL: High protein, low fat, removes cholesterol from tissues
- LDL: Low protein, high fat, deposits cholesterol in blood
What is the role of hydrogen bonds in water’s properties
- Enable cohesion and adhesion
- Contribute to high specific heat capacity
What are the types of lipids and how do they differ
- Saturated: No double bonds, solid at room temperature
- Unsaturated: Double bonds, liquid at room temperature, weaker intermolecular forces
What are the 3 key stages of the cardiac cycle
- Atrial systole: Atria contract, blood flows into ventricles
- Ventricle systole: ventricles contract, blood exits via arteries
- Diastole: Relaxation, chambers refill with blood
How do anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors work in CVD treatment
- Anticoagulants: Reduce clot formation but can cause bleeding if misused
- Platelet inhibitors: Reduce stickiness of platelets, lowering clot risk
How does the BMI and waist : hip ration assess health risks
- BMI: measures body weight relative to heigh
- Waist : hip ration: assesses fat distribution, values >1 indicate higher health risk
What are the differences between animal and plant fats
- Animals: Saturated, solid at room temp
- Plants: Unsaturated, liquid at room temp
