Physiology and Health Unit 2 KA 7

Question 1

What is Atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis is the formation of plaques called Atheromas

Question 2

Where do Atheromas form?

Answer 2

Atheromas form under the endothelium in the wall of an artery

Question 3

What can large Atheromas lead to (5)

Answer 3

1) Decreased artery lumen diameter
2) Restriction of blood flow to capillary bed
3) Increased blood pressure
4) Hardening of arteries (elasticity loss)
5) Cardiovascular diseases

Question 4

What happens if an Artheroma ruptures?

Answer 4

If an atheroma ruptures it damages the endothelium lining

Question 5

What are some examples of Cardiovascular disease? (4)

Answer 5

1) Coronary Heart Disease (including angina)
2) Strokes
3) Heart attacks (myocardial infractions)
4) Peripheral vascular disease

Question 6

What is a Thrombus?

Answer 6

A thrombus is a clot

Question 7

What happens when Coronary arteries are blocked?

Answer 7

If coronary arteries are blocked it causes heart attack

(myocardial infraction)

Question 8

What happens when Arteries supplying the brain are blocked?

Answer 8

If arteries supplying the brain are blocked it leads to stroke

Question 9

What is the purpose of Blood clotting?

Answer 9

Blood clotting is a protective device to prevent blood loss at a wound

Question 10

What happens in the presence of damaged cells?

Answer 10

The presence of damaged cells leads to the release of blood clotting factors

Question 11

What happens when blood clotting factors are released?

Answer 11

When blood clotting factors are released, the inactive enzyme prothrombin changes into its active form thrombin

prothrombin -> thrombin

Question 12

What is Fibrinogen?

Answer 12

Fibrinogen is a soluble plasma protein

(Fibrin is insoluble)

Question 13

What are Fibrin threads?

Answer 13

Fibrin threads are a meshwork that clots the blood, sealing the wound and providing a scaffolding for the formation of scar tissue

Question 14

How are Fibrin threads formed?

Answer 14

Fibrin threads are formed when thrombin causes molecules of fibrinogen to form threads of fibrin

Question 15

What is the formation of a Thrombus called?

Answer 15

The formation of a thrombus is called Thrombosis

Question 16

What is a Thrombus called if it breaks loose?

Answer 16

A loose thrombus is called an Embolus

Question 17

What happens if an Embolus blocks a coronary artery?

Answer 17

If an embolus blocks a coronary artery, its called coronary thrombosis and it may lead to a heart attack (myocardial infraction)

Question 18

What if an Embolus blocks an artery leading to the brain?

Answer 18

If an embolus blocks an artery leading to the brain it may lead to a stroke

Question 19

What are Peripheral arteries?

Answer 19

peripheral arteries are arteries other than the ones in the heart or brain

Question 20

What is Peripheral vascular disease?

Answer 20

Peripheral vascular disease is the narrowing of the arteries (which aren’t in the heart or brain) due to atherosclerosis (formation of atheromas)

Question 21

Where does Peripheral vascular disease mostly affect?

Answer 21

Peripheral vascular disease mostly affects leg arteries - blood flow is restricted and pain is felt due to lack of oxygen

Question 22

What is Deep vein thrombosis? (DVT)

Answer 22

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a thrombus in a vein (usually lower leg) causing painful swelling and engorged veins close to the skin surface

Question 23

What happens if an Embolus blocks a pulmonary artery?

Answer 23

If an embolus blocks a pulmonary artery, it leads to a pulmonary embolism

Question 24

What are symptoms of a Pulmonary embolism?

Answer 24

1) Chest pains
2) Breathing difficulties
3) Palpitations

Question 25

What are Lipids?

Answer 25

eLipids are a diverse group of organic compounds which include simple lipids (e.g. fats) and more complex lipids (e.g. steroids)

Question 26

Why is Cholesterol important?

Answer 26

Cholesterol is important because it is needed for the synthesis of steriods (e.g sex hormones) and is a basic component of cell membranes

Question 27

Where is Cholesterol produced?

Answer 27

Cholesterol is produced in the liver cells from saturated fats present in the diet

Question 28

What are Lipoproteins?
Where are they found?

Answer 28

Lipoproteins are molecules containing lipid and protein
They are found in blood plasma which transports lipids around the body

Question 29

Where are Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) produced?

Answer 29

LDL are produced in the liver

Question 30

What happens to excess cholesterol?

Answer 30

Excess cholesterol is taken up by enothelial cells lining an artery, and it is deposited in an atheroma

Question 31

What are Statins?

Answer 31

Statins are drugs that lower cholesterol in the blood