Health, communicable and non-communicable disease: Practice Questions

Which of these common infections is caused by a protist and is spread through animal vectors such as mosquitoes?

A patient is diagnosed with cirrhosis, a non-communicable disease of the liver. Which combination of lifestyle factors and disease interactions significantly increases the risk of this condition?

The lytic pathway is one of two ways a virus can reproduce within a host cell. Which of the following events occurs only in the lytic pathway and not in the lysogenic pathway?

In the development of new medicines, what is the primary purpose of the Phase 1 clinical trial stage?

Physical barriers and chemical defences are the first line of defence in humans. Which of the following correctly pairs a barrier with its specific mechanism of protection against pathogens?

Describe the specific role of memory lymphocytes in the secondary immune response and explain why this leads to a faster and stronger production of antibodies compared to the primary response.

A patient is suspected of having a non-communicable disease. They have a body mass of \(105\text{ kg}\) and a height of \(1.80\text{ m}\).

a) Calculate the BMI of the patient to 2 decimal places.
b) Using the calculated BMI, explain the physiological link between a high BMI and the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, specifically regarding blood pressure and artery damage.

Non-communicable diseases are often caused by the interaction of several factors, including lifestyle choices. One significant lifestyle factor is the impact of exercise and diet on body mass index (BMI).

a) A patient has a body mass of \(95\text{ kg}\) and a height of \(1.75\text{ m}\). Calculate the patient’s BMI using the following equation: \(BMI = \frac{\text{mass (kg)}}{(\text{height (m)})^2}\). Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

b) Explain how a high BMI and a diet high in sugars and lipids can lead to an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

c) In addition to lifestyle changes, discuss how cardiovascular disease (often associated with high BMI) can be treated using surgical procedures and life-long medication. Compare the benefits and risks of these two types of treatments.

The specific immune system protects the body by recognizing and responding to pathogens.

a) Explain the role of antigens and memory lymphocytes in the secondary immune response to a pathogen.
b) Monoclonal antibodies are produced through the creation of hybridoma cells. Describe how a hybridoma cell is formed and explain why this specific type of cell is necessary for the mass production of antibodies.
c) Discuss the advantages of using monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer compared to traditional treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy, specifically referring to how they target tumor-markers.