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Exam questions · Biology · Health, Disease and Cancer

Risk Factors and Lifestyle

  • 7 exam questions
  • 17 marks
  • 8 quick checks
  1. 1 State [1 mark]

    State what is meant by a risk factor.

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    Model answer

    Something that is linked to an increased rate of a disease.

    Mark scheme

    • Linked to an increased rate of a disease — 1 mark
  2. 2 Name [2 marks]

    Name two lifestyle factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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    Model answer

    Any two of: smoking, a diet high in fat, lack of exercise.

    Mark scheme

    • First factor — 1 mark
    • Second factor — 1 mark
  3. 3 Explain [2 marks]

    Explain how obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

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    Model answer

    Obesity makes it more likely that a person will develop type 2 diabetes. The body becomes less able to control its blood glucose level.

    Mark scheme

    • Obesity increases the chance of type 2 diabetes — 1 mark
    • Blood glucose control is affected — 1 mark
  4. 4 Calculate [2 marks]

    In a study, 45 of 500 people who drank a lot of alcohol developed liver disease. Calculate the percentage who developed liver disease.

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    Model answer

    45 ÷ 500 × 100 = 9%.

    Mark scheme

    • 45 ÷ 500 × 100 — 1 mark
    • 9% — 1 mark
  5. 5 Explain [3 marks]

    Explain why smoking during pregnancy is a risk to the unborn baby.

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    Model answer

    Chemicals in cigarette smoke pass from the mother's blood to the baby's blood. They can reduce the baby's growth, so it may be born with a low mass. They also increase the risk of an early birth.

    Mark scheme

    • Chemicals pass to the baby — 1 mark
    • Low birth mass — 1 mark
    • Early birth / miscarriage — 1 mark
  6. 6 Suggest [3 marks]

    Studies show that people who eat a lot of salt have higher blood pressure. A newspaper says that salt causes high blood pressure. Suggest why the newspaper's conclusion might not be correct.

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    Model answer

    The data show a correlation, which is only a link. Other factors, such as weight, exercise or genes, might cause the high blood pressure. A causal mechanism has not been shown by the data alone.

    Mark scheme

    • It is a correlation / link only — 1 mark
    • Other factors could be involved — 1 mark
    • No causal mechanism shown — 1 mark
  7. 7 Discuss [4 marks]

    Discuss the human and financial costs of non-communicable diseases at a national level.

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    Model answer

    The human cost includes pain, a lower quality of life and early death, as well as the effect on families who care for the person. The financial cost includes the cost to the health service of treatments, drugs and operations, and the cost of lost productivity when people are too ill to work. These costs are large for a nation because many people are affected by lifestyle-related diseases.

    Mark scheme

    • Human cost: pain / death / quality of life — 1 mark
    • Human cost to family or community — 1 mark
    • Financial cost: treatment — 1 mark
    • Financial cost: lost working time — 1 mark

Quick check

  1. 1

    Which of these is a risk factor for lung cancer?

    1. AEating fruit
    2. BSmoking
    3. CDrinking water
    4. DExercise
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    B: Smoking

    Smoking exposes the lungs to carcinogens and is a major risk factor for lung cancer.

  2. 2

    Which disease is obesity a risk factor for?

    1. AMeasles
    2. BMalaria
    3. CType 2 diabetes
    4. DGonorrhoea
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    C: Type 2 diabetes

    Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

  3. 3

    Which organ is damaged by too much alcohol?

    1. AThe liver
    2. BThe skin
    3. CThe bone
    4. DThe heart valve only
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    A: The liver

    Heavy drinking damages the liver, and it affects brain function.

  4. 4

    What is ionising radiation an example of?

    1. AA pathogen
    2. BA vaccine
    3. CA nutrient
    4. DA carcinogen
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    D: A carcinogen

    Ionising radiation, such as X-rays and gamma rays, can cause cancer.

  5. 5

    Why can't a correlation alone prove a cause?

    1. ABecause graphs are not accurate
    2. BBecause other factors may be involved
    3. CBecause correlations are always negative
    4. DBecause samples are always too big
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    B: Because other factors may be involved

    Other factors could explain the link, so a causal mechanism is needed.

  6. 6

    In a study, 30 of 600 people develop a disease. What percentage is this?

    1. A0.5%
    2. B2%
    3. C5%
    4. D20%
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    C: 5%

    30 ÷ 600 × 100 = 5%.

  7. 7

    Which of these is a cost of non-communicable disease to a nation?

    1. AThe cost of treatment to the health service
    2. BA person's own pain
    3. CA change in a person's diet
    4. DA sample of 20 people
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    A: The cost of treatment to the health service

    Treatment costs for the health service and lost working days are costs to a nation.

  8. 8

    What does the saying "many diseases are caused by an interaction of factors" mean?

    1. AOnly one factor is ever involved
    2. BDiseases never have a cause
    3. COnly pathogens cause disease
    4. DSeveral factors often combine to cause a disease
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    D: Several factors often combine to cause a disease

    Diet, lifestyle, genes and the environment often act together to cause a disease.