Non-communicable Diseases

Question 1

What are the risk factors of non-communicable diseases?

Answer 1

• Age.
• Genetic make-up.
• Lifestyle (diet, obesity, inhaling carcinogens etc).
• Environment (radiation, UV, second-hand tobacco).

Question 2

What is a causal mechanism?

Answer 2

It explains how one factor influences another through a biological process.

Question 3

How do tumours grow?

Answer 3

Cells change due to mutations and divide uncontrollably.

Question 4

What is a tumour?

Answer 4

A mass of abnormally growing cells.

Question 5

What is a benign tumour?

Answer 5

A tumour which stays in one place, and does not invade other tissues. However, it can crush organs or nerves etc.

Question 6

What is a malignant tumour?

Answer 6

A tumour which can spread to healthy tissue. This type is known as cancer.

Question 7

What are the causes of cancer?

Answer 7

• Genetic factors
• Mutations in genes, caused by carcinogens like tobacco.
• Iosinising radiation like UV.
• Virus infections, such as HPV, which causes cervical cancer.

Question 8

What does tobacco contain?

Answer 8

• Nicotine, which is addictive.
• Carbon monoxide, which replaces oxygen in RBC’s.
• Tar, which accumulates in the lungs.
• Chemicals prevent the cilia from wafting up mucus.

Question 9

What problems are caused by smoking?

Answer 9

• The blood carries less oxygen because of carbon monoxide.
• Mucus containing dirt and pathogens builds up in the airways.
• Tar and chemicals lead to bronchitis and cause cancers of the throat, larynx and trachea.
• Tar can damage alveoli, causing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - severe breathlessness and death.

Question 10

How does regular exercise reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 10

• It lowers blood cholesterol levels and fatty deposits.
• It builds up muscle tissue, increasing the metabolic rate.
• It improves the blood supply to the heart so you have a better heart rate.

Question 11

What effects can alcohol have, long-term and short-term?

Answer 11

Short-term:
-Reduces reactions, reflexes and thought processes.

Long-term:

• The liver becomes damaged - leads to cirrhosis from scar tissue or cancer.
• The brain can become damaged.
• Pregnant women can pass alcohol across the placenta to the foetus. It can cause facial deformities and heart problems, and learning and development problems.