Topic 1B : Lifestyle & Disease

Question 1

Explain the process of atherosclerosis

Answer 1

Damage to the endothelium lining of an artery leads to an inflammatory response during which white blood cells move into the area and clump together alongside with lipids under the endothelium to form fatty streaks

Over time, more white blood cells, lipids and connective tissue build up and harden to form fibrous plaque called atheroma which partially blocks the lumen of an artery restricting the blood flow and increasing the blood pressure

Positive feedback occurs.

Question 2

How can atheroma increase the risk of blood clotting

Answer 2

Atheroma developed within the walls of an artery can rupture the endothelium leaving a rough surface which triggers blood clotting.

Question 3

Why does blood need to clot

Answer 3

Prevent excessive bleeding when injured/blood loss

Prevents entry of harmful bacteria

Question 4

Explain the process of blood clotting

Answer 4

Thromboplastin is released from platelets released from damaged area of blood vessel

Thromboplastin and calcium ions trigger the conversion of prothrombin into thrombin which catalyses the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin

Fibrin fibres tangle together and form a mesh in which platelets and red blood cells get trapped forming and tightening the blood clots

Question 5

How can blood clots be detrimental to health

Answer 5

Blood clots can cause a complete blockage of an artery or making it dislodged and block the vessel meaning that blood flow to tissues would be restricted so less oxygen will reach those tissues

Heart attacks, stroke and deep vein thrombosis could be caused by blood clotting

Question 6

What is thromboplastin

Answer 6

Protein

Question 7

What is prothrombin

Answer 7

Soluble protein

Question 8

What is thrombin

Answer 8

Enzyme

Question 9

What is fibrinogen

Answer 9

Soluble protein

Question 10

What is fibrin

Answer 10

Solid insoluble fibres

Question 11

How could blood clots lead to heart attack

Answer 11

Coronary arteries supplying the heart muscle with oxygen needs for respiration becomes blocked meaning that area of heart doesn’t have access to oxygen causing myocardial infarction

Question 12

What are the symptoms of heart attack

Answer 12

Pain in the chest and upper body as well as shortness in breath and sweating

Question 13

What is stroke

Answer 13

Rapid loss of brain function due to disruption in the blood supply to the brain

Question 14

How could blood clots cause stroke

Answer 14

Blood clots in artery leading to the brain reducing the amount of blood and therefore oxygen reaching the brain

Question 15

How could diet increase the risk of developing CVD

Answer 15

Diet high in saturated fat could increase the blood cholesterol level increasing the risk of atheroma formation which could lead to blood clots therefore causing heart attack/stroke

Question 16

How could high blood pressure increase the risk of developing CVD

Answer 16

High blood pressure increases the risk of damage to endothelium lining of an artery increasing the risk of atheroma formation which could lead to CVD

Question 17

What can increase blood pressure

Answer 17

Excessive alcohol consumption, stress and diet

Question 18

How could smoking increase the risk of developing CVD

Answer 18

Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke combines with haemoglobin which reduces the amount of oxygen transported in blood so less oxygen available to tissues leading to heart attack/stroke

Nicotine makes platelets more sticky increasing the chance of blood clot formation

Smoking decreases the amount of antioxidants in the blood which are important for cell protection from damage. Fewer antioxidants means more damage to artery can occur so atheroma formation is more likely

Question 19

How could inactivity increase the risk of developing CVD

Answer 19

Lack of exercise increases the risk of developing obesity which increases blood pressure leading to atherosclerosis

Question 20

How could genetics increase the risk of developing CVD

Answer 20

people may inherit particular alleles that make an individual more likely to have high blood pressure and cholesterol levels increasing the change of atherosclerosis

Question 21

How could age increase the risk of developing CVD

Answer 21

With age plaque builds up very slowly over time making arteries less elastics so its harder to withstand high blood pressure hence leading to atherosclerosis

Question 22

How could gender increase the risk of developing CVD

Answer 22

Men are more likely to suffer from CVD as they have less oestrogen levels in their body which increases the good cholesterol in the body. This means that mean have higher levels of total cholesterol increasing risk of developing CVD

Question 23

How are anticoagulants used to treat CVD

Answer 23

Anticoagulants reduce blood clotting therefore clots are less likely to form at sites of damage in artery walls so there is less chance of blood vessel becoming blocked by a blood clot

Question 24

Give 3 advantages in relation to using anticoagulants as a treatment for CVD

Answer 24

can be used to treat people who already have blood clots or CVD

prevent any existing blood clots from growing larger

prevent any new blood clots from forming

Question 25

Give 3 disadvantages in relation to using anticoagulants as a treatment for CVD

Answer 25

if a person is badly injured, the reduction in blood clotting could lead toe excessive bleeding which can cause fainting

cant get rid of existing blood clots

side effects such as allergic reactions, osteoporosis and swelling of the tissues as well as damage to fetus if taken during pregnancy

Question 26

How are statins used to treat CVD

Answer 26

Statins reduce blood cholesterol in humans by blocking the enzyme which produces LDL cholesterol inside the liver which leads to reduction in atheroma formation

Question 27

Give an advantage in relation to using statins as a treatment for CVD

Answer 27

increase levels of HDL cholesterol which aids with further removal of LDL cholesterol

Question 28

Give 3 disadvantages in relation to using anticoagulants as a treatment for CVD

Answer 28

can take a while to be effective

need to be taken long-term to remain effective

side effects such as muscle and joint pain, digestive system problems, increased risk of diabetes nosebleeds, headaches and nausea

Question 29

How are antihypertensives used to treat CVD

Answer 29

Antihypertensives reduce the blood pressure meaning that there is less chance of damage to the walls of arteries

Question 30

What are the different types of antihypertensives and what is their role

Answer 30

beta-blockers reduce the frequency of a heart contractions and make them less powerful by blocking the response of heart to hormones

vasodilators widen the blood vessels so the blood can flow easily through the vessels

diuretics reduce the amount of sodium that’s reabsorbed by the blood in the kidneys resulting in less water being absorbed by osmosis reducing blood volume

ACE inhibitors reduce blood pressure by blocking the conversions of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II causing arterial constriction

Question 31

Give 2 advantages in relation to using antihypertensives as a treatment for CVD

Answer 31

different types of antihypertensives can be taken in combination as they work differently

blood pressure can be monitored at home so the patient can observe if the drugs are working

Question 32

Give 2 disadvantages in relation to using antihypertensives as a treatment for CVD

Answer 32

patients may stop taking them due to the side effects

side effects such as palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms, fainting, headaches and drowsiness caused by pressure being too low as well as allergic reactions and depression

Question 33

How are platelet inhibitors used as a treatment of CVD

Answer 33

Platelet inhibitors prevent platelets from clumping together to form a blood clot which reduces the formation of blood clots and the chance of blood vessel becoming blocked

Question 34

Give an advantage in relation to using platelet inhibitors as a treatment for CVD

Answer 34

can be used on people who already have blood clots or CVD

Question 35

Give 3 disadvantages in relation to using platelet inhibitors as a treatment for CVD

Answer 35

can cause excessive bleeding if injury occurs

combining more than one type of platelet inhibitors can increase the risk of harmful side effects

side effects such as rashes, diarrhoea, nausea, liver function problems