(Paper 1) 3.1 Disease: Non-communicable diseases

Question 1

What are the two main types of diseases?

Answer 1

Communicable and non-communicable

Question 2

What is a communicable disease?

Answer 2

A disease that can be transferred from one organism to another (e.g. measles, malaria, food poisoning)

Question 3

What is a non-communicable disease?

Answer 3

A disease that cannot be transferred between people or organisms (e.g. cancer, heart disease, diabetes)

Question 4

Give four examples of non-communicable diseases.

Answer 4

Cancer

Heart disease

Diabetes

Genetic disorders

Question 5

What factors can affect physical and mental health?

Answer 5

Diet

Lifestyle (e.g. alcohol, drugs)

Stress

Life events

Question 6

How can a defective immune system affect disease risk?

Answer 6

It makes a person more likely to get infectious diseases (e.g. HIV → AIDS increases infection risk)

Question 7

How can viruses cause cancer?

Answer 7

Some viruses trigger cancer by living in host cells (e.g. cervical cancer is linked to the HPV virus in the reproductive system)

Question 8

How can immune system reactions cause non-communicable diseases?

Answer 8

They can trigger allergic reactions, like asthma or skin rashes

Question 9

Give an example of a disease interaction involving mental health.

Answer 9

Severe physical illness can lead to depression or other mental illnesses

Question 10

What causes cancer to begin in a cell?

Answer 10

A cell divides uncontrollably, producing new cells even when the body doesn’t need them.

Question 11

What is a tumour?

Answer 11

A mass of cancerous cells caused by uncontrolled cell division.

Question 12

What type of cell division do cancer cells undergo?

Answer 12

Mitosis

Question 13

Are cancer cells differentiated or undifferentiated?

Answer 13

Undifferentiated – they do not carry out normal cell functions.

Question 14

What are the two types of tumour?

Answer 14

Benign and malignant

Question 15

What is a benign tumour?

Answer 15

Grows slowly

Usually stays in one place

Does not spread to other parts of the body

Often enclosed in a membrane

Question 16

What is a malignant tumour?

Answer 16

Grows quickly

Invades neighbouring tissues

Can spread in the blood to form secondary tumours (metastasis)

Question 17

What is metastasis?

Answer 17

The spread of cancer cells through the bloodstream to form secondary tumours.

Question 18

What are carcinogens?

Answer 18

Substances or agents that can cause cancer by damaging DNA.

Question 19

How do carcinogens lead to cancer?

Answer 19

They cause mutations in DNA; several mutations may lead to cancer.

Question 20

What is a risk factor?

Answer 20

Something that increases the likelihood of developing a disease.

Question 21

What is a risk factor for skin cancer?

Answer 21

Exposure to UV light (typically overexposure to the sun)

Question 22

How can you reduce the risk of getting skin cancer?

Answer 22

wearing sunscreen

Question 23

Name four lifestyle-related risk factors for cancer.

Answer 23

Smoking (e.g. lung cancer)

Alcohol intake

Diet (e.g. high fat/salt)

UV exposure (e.g. skin cancer)

Question 24

Which virus is linked to cervical cancer?

Answer 24

Human papilloma virus (HPV)

Question 25

Name two environmental or industrial cancer risk factors.

Answer 25

Exposure to ionising radiation Exposure to chemical carcinogens in the workplace

Question 26

How does age affect cancer risk?

Answer 26

Risk increases with age because more mutations accumulate over time.

Question 27

What is a risk factor?

Answer 27

A variable that increases the likelihood of developing a disease.

Question 28

What is a correlation?

Answer 28

A relationship or pattern between two variables — as one changes, the other tends to change too.

Question 29

Does correlation always mean causation?

Answer 29

No – correlation shows a pattern, but not that one variable directly causes the other.

Question 30

What is a causal mechanism?

Answer 30

A biological explanation that shows how a risk factor could directly cause a disease.

Question 31

What’s an example of a correlation and causal mechanism in cancer?

Answer 31

Smoking correlates with lung cancer, and chemicals in cigarette smoke (at least 70) are known carcinogens that cause cancer in lab animals.

Question 32

Why do scientists study patterns in data?

Answer 32

To identify risk factors and potential causes of disease.

Question 33

How does smoking damage the arteries?

Answer 33

It damages the lining, encouraging the build-up of fatty material, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke

Question 34

What effect does carbon monoxide in smoke have on the blood?

Answer 34

It reduces the amount of oxygen the blood can carry.

Question 35

How does nicotine affect the heart?

Answer 35

It increases heart rate, putting strain on the heart.

Question 36

What effect do cigarette chemicals have on blood clotting?

Answer 36

They increase the likelihood of blood clotting, leading to heart attacks and strokes.

Question 37

What lung condition is caused by long-term smoking?

Answer 37

COPD – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 38

What are the two non-communicable diseases included in COPD?

Answer 38

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Question 39

What happens to the alveoli in a smoker’s lungs?

Answer 39

They are damaged or destroyed, reducing the surface area for gas exchange.

Question 40

What symptoms result from COPD?

Answer 40

Breathlessness, mucus build-up, and reduced respiration efficiency.

Question 41

Can COPD be cured?

Answer 41

No – the damage is permanent and can lead to early death.

Question 42

What causes most cases of lung cancer?

Answer 42

Carcinogens in cigarette smoke.

Question 43

What other factors can cause lung cancer?

Answer 43

Air pollution and ionising radiation (e.g. radon gas).

Question 44

Why are lung cancer trends different for men and women?

Answer 44

Men smoked more earlier in the 1900s; women’s smoking rates peaked later, so their cancer rates are now rising.

Question 45

Are women more at risk of developing lung cancer from smoking?

Answer 45

Yes, evidence suggests women are more susceptible.

Question 46

What risks does smoking pose during pregnancy?

Answer 46

Miscarriage Low birthweight Increased risk of asthma Respiratory infections in babies Birth defects Delayed growth and development

Question 47

What is the liver’s role in processing alcohol?

Answer 47

It breaks down alcohol and removes toxins from the blood.

Question 48

Can the liver repair itself after alcohol damage?

Answer 48

Yes, but long-term alcohol abuse causes irreversible damage.

Question 49

What is fatty liver disease?

Answer 49

A condition where lipids build up in the liver due to excess alcohol intake.

Question 50

What is alcoholic hepatitis?

Answer 50

Inflammation of the liver caused by alcohol; it can be fatal.

Question 51

What is cirrhosis of the liver?

Answer 51

Severe scarring of liver tissue, leading to loss of function.

Question 52

Name three short-term effects of alcohol on the brain.

Answer 52

Slowed reaction time Slurred speech Impaired memory

Question 53

What are three long-term effects of alcohol on the brain?

Answer 53

Brain shrinkage and cell death in nervous tissue Memory problems Psychiatric issues such as depression and anxiety

Question 54

What might severe alcohol-related brain damage lead to?

Answer 54

A person requiring long-term care.

Question 55

What is foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)?

Answer 55

A condition caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy that affects the baby’s development.

Question 56

Name four effects of foetal alcohol syndrome.

Answer 56

Smaller body size Smaller brain and fewer neurons Learning and behavioural difficulties Distinct facial features

Question 57

Name three social impacts of alcoholism.

Answer 57

Increased violence and crime Antisocial behaviour Mental decline

Question 58

Name three economic impacts of alcoholism.

Answer 58

Increased NHS costs More workplace absences Higher accident rates

Question 59

What positive trend is seen in many countries regarding alcohol and pregnancy?

Answer 59

Decreased drinking during pregnancy due to greater awareness of the risks.

Question 60

How does obesity increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Answer 60

Raises blood pressure Leads to build-up of fatty deposits in arteries Increases blood lipid levels

Question 61

Where do fat deposits that most affect health tend to form?

Answer 61

Around the abdomen

Question 62

What is a major risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and diabetes?

Answer 62

Obesity

Question 63

What is Type 2 diabetes?

Answer 63

A condition where the body’s cells become resistant to insulin, or respond less effectively.

Question 64

What percentage of Type 2 diabetes cases are linked to obesity?

Answer 64

80–85%

Question 65

What type of diet is linked to rising obesity and Type 2 diabetes?

Answer 65

The ‘western diet’ – high in energy-dense and ultra-processed foods also linked with inactive lifestyles

Question 66

Is there a cure for Type 2 diabetes?

Answer 66

No, but it can be managed by diet and exercise

Question 67

What type of diet can help prevent type 2 diabetes?

Answer 67

Ketogenic diet (low carb, low sugar, high fat, high protein)

Question 68

How can the risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease be reduced?

Answer 68

Eat a balanced diet consisting of whole, unprocessed foods. Take regular exercise

Question 69

What is BMI and why is it important?

Answer 69

Body Mass Index – a measure of body fat based on height and weight; high BMI is linked to greater disease risk.