Genetic and Environmental causes of disease Flashcards
What are the basic methods of identifying the cause of disease
Lab studies,
Family studies and
epidemiology
Name two examples of highly treatable heritable diseases
Vision and mental retardation due to Phenylketonuria (unable to break down phenylalanine) treated by removing phenylalanine
What are the two types of twins?
Monozygotic and dizygotic
What are the issues that arise with twin studies?
Monozygotic twins are encouraged to spend more time together. Monozygotic twins may not have shared the same uterine environment
Name the major classes of infectious agents
Bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, protozoa, parasites, prions
Define tropism
This determines what type of host an infectious agent will affect
Name the major routes of transmission
Droplets, faeco-oral, venereal (sexual), blood, water, food, vectors and fomites (leaving infectious agents on inanimate objects)
Name the diseases caused by smoking
Cancer (mutagenic)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (inflammation)
Increased blood pressure and heart rate (increased binding to nicotine receptors)
Endothelium damage
Increased carbon monoxide levels which can lead to intrauterine growth retardation
Name the issues caused by alcohol
Increased acetaldaldehyde (carcinogenics)
Increases oestrogen levels (leads to BC)
Decreased NAD levels (increases synthesis of lipids and decreases metabolism of lipids, causes liver cirrhosis)
Reactive O2 produced (damages lipid membranes)
Decreased CNS function
Teratogenic (delays foetal development)
Decreased Vit B levels (cause anaemia)
Name the issues that arise due to dust
Mesothelioma (caused by asbestos, cancer of the mesothelium)
Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (lung inflammation and scarring)
Asthma
Hayfever
Injury from physical agents
Mechanical (trauma)
Thermal (hypothermia, fever and burns)
Radiation
What methods are used to study whether a disease is genetic?
Family, twin, adoption and migration studies. Can help decide if a disease is genetic or environmental.
