Topic 1 - Lifestyle, Health And Risk Flashcards
What are cardiovascular diseases?
Are diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. The main forms of cardiovascular disease are coronary heart disease and stroke.
What is the main purpose of the heart and its circulation?
To move substances around the body.
Do unicellular organisms rely on a mass transport system?
No, most unicellular organisms where distances are short, substances such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and digestive products move around the organism by diffusion.
What do complex multicellular organisms rely on?
On a mass transport system.
What is a mass transport system? Give examples
In a mass transport system, all the substances move in the same direction at the same speed by mass flow. Across the range of multicellular organisms found in the living world are a number of mass transport systems, e.g. the mammalian circulatory system and the vascular system of a plant.
What is mass flow?
All the particles move in one direction through tubes due to difference in pressure.
Do all animals have only one heart?
No, e.g the humble earthworm has five.
What are the two types circulatory systems?
- Open
- Closed
What animals have an open circulatory system?
Insects
How does blood circulate in a open circulatory system?
(Blood circulates in large open spaces) A simple heart pumps blood out into cavities surrounding the animals organ’s. Substances can diffuse between he blood and cells. When the hearts muscle relaxes, blood is drawn back into the heart through small, valved, openings along its length.
What animals have a closed circulatory system?
All vertebrates.
How does a closed circulatory system work?
Blood is enclosed in tubes (blood vessels) which generates a higher blood pressure as the blood is forced along fairly narrow channels instead of flowing into large cavities. This means the blood travels faster and so the blood system is more efficient at delivering substances around the body.
Properties of a closed circulatory system?
- The blood leaves the heart under pressure and flows along arteries and then arterioles to capillaries.
- Extremely large number of capillaries. These come into close contact with most of the cells in the body where substances are exchanged between blood and cells.
- Blood then returns to the heart by passing through venules and veins.
- Valves ensure that blood only flows in one direction.
Animals that have a closed circulatory system are …
Larger in size and often more active.
What are the two types of closed circulatory systems?
- Single
- Double
What animals have single circulatory systems?
Fish
What are the properties of single circulatory systems?
- The heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the gills
- Gaseous exchange takes place in the gills; there is diffusion of of carbon dioxide from the blood into the water that surrounds the gills and diffusion of oxygen from this water into the blood within the gills
- The blood leaving the gills then flows around the rest of the body before eventually returning to the heart.
In a single circulatory system how many times does the blood flow through the heart?
Once for each complete circuit of the body
What animals have a double circulatory system?
Birds and mammals
How does blood flow in a double circulatory system?
The right ventricle of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs where it receives oxygen. The oxygenated blood then returns to the heart to be pumped a second time by the left ventricle out to the rest of the body.
Why do animals with a double circulatory system have a higher metabolic process?
Oxygen and food substances required for metabolic processes can be delivered more rapidly to cells and meet the needs of the organism.
In most animals what is the transport medium?
Blood
What is the blood made up of?
- Plasma
- Red blood cells
- White blood cells
- Platelets
What does plasma contain?
Mainly water with dissolved substances:
- Digested food molecules
- Proteins
- Amino acids
- Salts
- Enzymes
- Hormones
- Antibodies
- Urea (the waste product from the breakdown of proteins)
As well as blood transporting dissolved substances and cells, what is its other role?
Regulation of body temperature and transfer of energy around the body.
Why is water unusual?
It is a simple molecule that is liquid at room temperature.
What is a polar molecule?
A polar molecule is a molecule that has an unevenly distributed electrical charge.
Describe the properties of water?
It is a polar molecule as it has an unevenly distributed electrical charge. The two hydrogens are pushed towards each other forming a v-shaped molecule. The hydrogen end of the molecule is slightly positive and the oxygen end is slightly negative because the electrons are more concentrated at that end.
What is water also known as?
Dipole
Where does a hydrogen bond form?
A hydrogen bond forms between to water molecules holding them together. The slightly positive end of the water molecule is attracted to the slightly negative end of surrounding water molecules.
What type of molecules dissolve in water?
Dipoles
What substances dissolve easily in water? Give examples
Ionic substance - Sodium chloride - Cl ions attracted to the positive ends of the water molecule whereas the Na ions are attracted to the negative ends of the water molecules, they become hydrated. Polar molecules (hydrophilic) become surrounded by water and go into the solution- NH2
Non-polar lipids do not dissolve in water. What do they do so they can?
Lipids combine with proteins to form lipoproteins, so that they can dissolve in water.
Is the specific heat capacity of water high or low? Why?
It is very high because the energy needed to break the hydrogen bonds needs to be very high. A large energy input only causes a small increase in temperature, so water warms and cools slowly.
What is specific heat capacity?
It is the amount of energy in joules required to raise the temperature of 1cm3 of water by 1degree celsius.
Why is it important that water has a high specific heat capacity?
This is extremely useful for organisms, helping them to avoid rapid changes in their internal temperature and enabling them to maintain a steady temperature even when the temperature of their surrounding varies considerably. This also means that bodies of water in which aquatic organisms live do not change temperature rapidly.
What is the heart made up of?
Cardiac muscle
What is the similarities between veins and arteries?
The walls of both vessels contain collagen, a tough fibrous protein, which makes them strong and durable. They also contain elastic fibres that allow them to stretch and recoil. Smooth muscle cells in the walls allows them to constrict and dilate.
What are the key differences between arteries and veins?
- Arteries have a narrow lumen whereas veins have a wide Lumen.
- Arteries have thicker walls than veins
- Arteries have more smooth muscle, collagen and elastic fibres
- Arteries have no valves whereas veins have valves
How does blood move through the arteries?
Once systole has occurred, blood is forced into the arteries and the elastic walls stretch to withstand the high pressure. During diastole, the elasticity of the artery walls causes them to recoil behind the blood which helps push the blood forwards.
How does blood move through the arterioles and capillaries?
Blood flows more slowly in the capillaries due to their narrow lumen causing more of the blood to be slowed down by friction against the capillary wall. The slower steady flow allows exchange between the blood and the surrounding cells through one cell thick capillary walls. The network of capillaries that lies close to every cell ensures that there is rapid diffusion between the blood and surrounding cells.
How does blood flow through the veins?
Blood flows steadily and without pulses in veins where it is under relatively low pressure. In the veins blood flow is assisted by the contraction of skeletal muscle during the movement of limbs and breathing. Low pressure developed in the thorax when breathing in also helps draw blood back into the heart from the veins. Backflow is prevented by pocket valves within the veins.
How is the heart muscle itself provided with a fresh supply of blood?
Fresh blood containing oxygen and glucose travels through the coronary arteries (2) to supply the heart and leaves through the two coronary veins.
Describe the cardiac cycle
1) (Atrial diastole) Atria fill with blood while the atrioventricular valves are closed.
2) The atrioventricular valves are pushed open by rising blood pressure and the ventricles start to fill with blood. During this time the semilunar valves are closed.
3) The atrial contract forcing remaining blood down into the ventricles.
4) The ventricles contract and atrioventricular valves close. Ventricular contraction forces open semi lunar valves, so that blood is ejected into pulmonary artery and aorta.
What is the lub dub sound made by?
Lub - Closing of the atrioventricular valves
Dub - Closing of the semilunar valves
What is atherosclerosis?
A disease process that leads to coronary heart disease and strokes.
What can atherosclerosis cause?
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction) it is occurs in the coronary artery.
- Gangrene and tissue death because of narrowing of the arteries in the legs
- Arteries can burst because of the blockage
- A stroke can occur if the blood supply to the brain is restricted or blocked.
How can atheroma lead to atherosclerosis?
Atheroma can either block an artery directly or increase its chance of being blocked by a blood clot (thrombosis)
Describe the process of atherosclerosis.
1) Endothelium becomes damaged and dysfunctional for some reason.
2) Once the inner lining of the artery is breached there is an inflammatory responses (swelling) white blood vessels move from the bloodstream to the artery wall where they accumulate chemicals from the blood (E.G. particularly cholesterol). Atheroma builds up.
3) On the inner wall of the artery, plaque builds up (hard swelling) as calcium salts and fibrous tissue build up at the site. The fibrous tissue causes a hard swelling because the artery wall loses some of its elasticity.
4) Plaque cause lumen to become narrower making it difficult for the heart to pump blood around the body which can lead to a rise in blood pressure (positive feedback).
What is the endothelium?
A delicate layer of cells that lines the inside of an artery and separates the blood that flows in the artery from the muscular wall.
What is an inflammatory response?
Damaged cells release chemicals that cause blood vessels to leak fluids into the tissue to cause swelling.
What is cholesterol?
A type of fat found in your blood. You need some to be healthy (to help the brain, skin and organs grow) but to much can promote heart attacks and strokes (atherosclerosis).
What is plaque?
A semi hardened accumulation of substances from fluids that bath an area.
Why do only arteries get atherosclerosis?
The fast flowing blood in the arteries is under high pressure so there is significant chance of damage to the walls. The low pressure in the veins means that there is less risk risk of damage to the walls.
Why does blood clot in arteries?
Rapid blood clotting is vital when a blood vessel is damaged. Blood clots seal a break in the blood vessel which limits blood loss and prevents the entry of pathogens.
When is the clotting cascade triggered?
Direct contact of blood with collagen within the damaged blood vessel wall triggers a series of complex chemical changes.
Describe the clotting cascade.
1) Platelets and damaged tissue release a protein called thromboplastin.
2) Thromboplastin activates an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of the protein prothrombin into an enzyme called thrombin. A number of other protein factors,vitamin K and calcium ions must be present in blood plasma for this conversion to happen.
3) Thrombin catalyses the conversion of the soluble plasma protein, fibrinogen into the insoluble protein fibrin.
4) A mesh of fibrils forms that traps more platelets(Platelets change shape from a flattened disc to a sphere with a long thin projection, sticking to exposed collagen) and blood cells to form a clot.
How can atherosclerosis lead to a coronary heart attack?
Narrowing of the coronary arteries limits the amount of oxygen rich blood reaching the heart muscle. If a fatty plaque in the coronary artery ruptures (maybe during exercise when the heart is having to work hard) collagen is exposed leading to a rapid blood clot. The blood to the heart might become completely blocked (ischaemic) and if the affected muscle is starved for too long there will be permanent damage. The large the zone of dead muscle cells the higher the fatality.
What are the symptoms for coronary disease?
- Shortness of breath and angina (First signs)
- Feeling heaviness, tightness, pain, burning and pressure usually behind breastbone but sometimes in the jaw, arm or neck
- Women may not have chest pain but may experience unusual fatigue, shortness of breath and indigestion
- Irregular heart beat (Arrhythmia)
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
They appear suddenly:
- Numbness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- blurred or lost vision, often only in one eye
Where and why can an aneurysm build up?
If a part of an artery has narrowed and become less flexible, blood can build up behind it. The artery bulges as it fills with blood and an aneurysm forms.
How does an aneurysm kill you?
Once they burst, the blood lose is often fatal.
What is a risk?
The probability of occurrence of some unwanted event or outcome.
When measuring a risk, what must you always quote?
A time period.
What factors contribute to health risks?
- Age
- Heredity
- Physical environment
- Social environment
- Lifestyle and behavioural choices
What are cohort studies? What type of study is it?
They follow a large group of people overtime to see who develops the disease and who does not. The type of study is a prospective as at the start none of the participants have the disease.
What is a case-control study? What type of studies are these?
A group of people with a disease are compared to a control group of individuals who do not have the disease. Information is collected about the risk factors that have been exposed in the past, allowing factors that may have contributed to the development of the disease to be identified. These type of studies are retrospective. Will only have validity if the two groups are matched for other factors such as age and gender.
In the cohort study the two choices of study are what?
- You have one population and you compare exposure to risk factors, look for correlations and draw conclusions between the group that developed the condition and the group that didn’t.
- You have two population a group that is exposed to risks and a group that is not exposed to risk factors, then outcomes are compared between the four end groups.
In a case-control study, you have two groups what do you do with them?
Take histories of exposure to risk factors in past, compare, look for correlations and draw conclusions.
When conducting a good study, what are the key features?
- Clear aim - Design of study must aid this, producing results that are valid and reliable
- Representative sample - Must be selected from the wider population that the study’s conclusions will be applied to.
- Valid and reliable results - Any method used must produce valid results and must be reliable. Results that measure what its supposed to measure.
- Sample size - Must be large enough to produce results that could not have occurred by chance.
- Controlling variables - potential effect of variables that could be correlated with the disease should be considered when designing the study.
What are the risk factors for Cardiovascular diseases?
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Blood cholesterol and other dietary factors
- Smoking
- Inactivity
- Genetic inheritance
What is hypertension?
Elevated blood pressure
What is blood pressure?
It is the measure of the hydrostatic force of the blood against the walls of a blood vessel.
Where is blood pressure the highest?
The pressure is highest in an artery during the phase of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles have contracted and forced blood into the arteries (systolic pressure).
What is systolic pressure?
It is blood pressure during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle. It is when the ventricles have contracted and forced the blood into the arteries.
What is the diastolic pressure?
Blood pressure during the diastolic phase of the heart (relaxation). When the ventricles are relaxed.
What is a sphygmomanometer?
A traditional device used to measure blood pressure.
What are the units for blood pressure?
MmHg (millimetres of mercury)
What is peripheral resistance?
Contact between blood and the walls of the blood vessels causes friction and this impedes the flow of blood.
When vessels constrict what happens regarding blood pressure? Why?
This makes the lumen narrower and increases resistance. In turn blood pressure increases, this is because there is the same volume of blood in a smaller space.
What is one sign of a high blood pressure?
Oedema
What is oedema?
Fluid building up in tissues and causing swelling. Oedema may also be associated with kidney or liver disease, or with restricted body movement.
How does tissue fluid build up and where does it get deposited?
AT the arterial end of a capillary, blood is under pressure. This forces fluid and small molecules normally found in plasma out through tiny gaps between the cells of the capillary wall into the intercellular space, forming tissue fluid. Blood cells and larger plasma proteins stay inside the capillary; their larger size prevents them passing through the gaps in the capillary wall. The tissue fluid drains into a network of lymph capillaries which returns the fluid to the blood via a lymph vessel which empties it into the vena cava. If blood pressure rises above normal, more fluid may be forced out of the capillaries. In such circumstances, fluid accumulates within the tissue causing oedema.
What is tissue fluid also known as?
Interstitial fluid
Which out of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids provide the most energy? (In order)
Lipids, Protein, Carbohydrates
What does carbohydrate mean?
Hydrated carbon
Which group are sugar and starch in?
Carbohydrates
What is the carbohydrate general formula?
Cx(H20)n
Sugars are either?
- Monosaccharides
- Disaccharides
- Polysaccharides
What is a monosaccharide?
Single sugar units
What is the general formula of a monosaccharide?
(CH2O)n where n is the number of carbon atoms in the molecule
Monosaccharides have between … and … carbon atoms?
Three and seven
What is the most common number of carbon atoms in a monosaccharide?
6