Biology-B7: Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable disease

Disease that is not spread by a pathogen but caused by an environmental factor

Risk Factor

Something someone does that increases the chance of disease

What is the addictive substance in cigarettes?

Nicotine

How are cigarettes damaging?

\-Carbon monoxide formed during smoking

\-Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in the blood

\-Bodies have to work harder to get good amount of oxygen

\-Raises blood pressure (heart disease)

How does smoking/drinking affect birth weight?

\-Smaller in size

\-Smaller brain with fewer neurons

\-Long-term learning and behavioural difficulties

\-Has distinct facial features

What does alcohol do to the body?

\-Slows down nervous system functions

\-Makes cell membranes permeable

Carcinogen

A cancer-causing substance

Why do the cells in our bodies divide?

\-Counteracting dying cells

\-Growth and repair

What would happen if the body loses control of cell division?

Cells may grow abnormally

Tumor

A mass of abnormal cells

Benign

Cells in one location (non-cancerous)

Mallignant

Cells can move around the body and cause more tumors (cancerous)

Health problems stemmed from benign tumors

Pressure on organs

Health problems stemmed from mallignant tumors

\-May cause secondary tumors

\-Difficult to treat

What are the main causes for cancer?

\-Smoking/drinking

\-Genetics

\-Ionising radiation

Ionising radiation

Radiation with enough energy to remove electrons from atoms, causing ions

Sources of ionising radiation

\-UV Light from sun

\-X-rays

\-Accidents in nuclear power station

How does ionising radiation cause damage?

\-Penetrates cells

\-Causes DNA mutation and chromosome damage

What are the two main cancer treatments used today?

\-Chemotherapy

\-Radiotherapy

Features of radiotherapy

\-Targeted doses of radiation

\-Stops mitosis of tumor cells

\-Can not be used if cancer near vital organs

Features of chemotherapy

\-Drugs to stop mitosis or cause self-destruction

\-Many side effects

\-Can be highly toxic

What is obesity?

High-degree of body fat and overweight

What causes obesity?

\-Taking in more energy (food) than your body needs

\-Lack of excercise

How does excess body fat form?

\-Excess glucose is stored as glycogen

\-When glycogen stores full, excess glucose turns to lipids

Lipids

\-Builds in various places

\-If near blood vessels can become dangerous

Glycogen

\-Insoluble version of glucose

\-In liver and muscles

What does obesity lead to?

\-High blood pressure

\-Indigestion

\-Heart disease

What is a primary tumor?

The first tumor in the body

What is a secondary tumor?

Tumors formed after the primary tumor spreads in the body

Foetal alcohol syndrome

\-Alcohol in the mother's blood passes to her baby through the placenta

\-Causes movement, hearing and communication problems

How does tar lead to lung cancer and COPD?

\-Forms a tacky brown or yellow residue on the inside of the lungs

\-Damages the cilia

\-Toxins can travel freely into the lungs causing problems

What is the difference between a relationship between a factor and a disease and a causal relationship between a factor and a disease?

The more casual the relationship the stronger the association between risk factor and outcome

What is health?

The state of physical and mental well-being

What are some risk factors for disease?

-Aspects of a person’s lifestyle

-Substances in the person’s body or environment

What are some causes of ill-health?

-Disease

-Diet

-Stress