2.5.11Variation, Homeostasis and Micro-organisms
Lifestyle Choices and Medical Conditions
5 min read 6 parts Lesson 41 of 51 Unit quiz
Section 1 of 6What is a lifestyle choice?
Conscious decisions
- Conscious decisions A lifestyle choice is a decision a person makes about how they live, and it can raise or lower their risk of disease.
Common examples
- Common examples Drinking alcohol, smoking, the type of diet eaten, the amount of exercise taken and the use of drugs are all lifestyle choices.
- Several of these choices affect the chemical processes that take place in the body.
Risk, not certainty
- Risk, not certainty A risk factor makes a condition more likely but does not guarantee it.
- Many people who take a risk never develop the disease, and some who avoid risks still do.
Section 2 of 6Effects of alcohol
Alcohol as a poison
Short-term effects
- Short-term effects Alcohol acts on the nervous system and slows reaction time.
- Other effects include slurred speech, loss of balance, blurred vision, loss of inhibitions and aggressive behaviour.
Dependence
- Dependence Regular drinkers can become dependent on alcohol and addicted to it.
- When an addicted person stops, withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, depression and body tremors can occur.
Liver damage
- Liver damage The liver breaks down alcohol, and the toxic waste products can damage it, leading to diseases such as cirrhosis.
Cancer
- Cancer Toxic products of alcohol can damage DNA and cause mutations that lead to cancers, for example of the mouth.
Circulatory disease
- Circulatory disease Alcohol raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart and circulatory disease.
Section 3 of 6Drugs and their misuse
Medicinal and recreational drugs
- Medicinal and recreational drugs Drugs can be legal medicines or illegal recreational drugs, and both alter chemical reactions in the body.
Misuse
- Misuse Any drug can be harmful if it is overused or misused.
- Examples of misuse are drugs taken to boost sporting performance and illegal drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and heroin.
Section 4 of 6Diet, exercise and type 2 diabetes
1Poor diet and little exercise
- Poor diet and little exercise Eating too much energy-rich food while taking little exercise leads to weight gain.
2Obesity
- Obesity Being obese is a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
3Cells stop responding
- Cells stop responding In type 2 diabetes the body cells no longer respond properly to the insulin released by the pancreas.
4Glucose builds up
- Glucose builds up Glucose stays in the blood instead of being taken up, and the high concentration is harmful over time.
Section 5 of 6Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle choice | A decision about how to live that can raise or lower the risk of disease. |
| Addiction | A state in which a person cannot stop taking a substance because the body or mind depends on it. |
| Withdrawal symptoms | Unpleasant effects that occur when an addicted person stops taking a substance. |
| Cirrhosis | Scarring and damage of the liver, linked to long-term heavy alcohol use. |
| Type 2 diabetes | A condition in which body cells stop responding to insulin, so blood glucose rises. |
| Risk factor | Something that increases the chance of developing a condition. |
Section 6 of 6Exam technique
1
Saying that all drugs are illegal. Many drugs are legal medicines, though they can still be harmful if misused.
2
Confusing type 2 diabetes with a lack of insulin. In type 2 the insulin is made, but the cells stop responding to it.
3
Claiming that a risk factor will definitely cause a disease. It only makes the condition more likely.
4
Stating that alcohol speeds up reactions. It slows reaction time because it affects the nervous system.
5
Naming only one effect of alcohol when a question asks for long-term effects; link the liver, cancers and circulatory disease.