Anorexia

Question 1

How does anorexia affect psychological health?

Answer 1

It can lead to stress and depression due to hormonal imbalance and nutrient deficiencies.

Question 2

How can lifestyle contribute to anorexia-related health risks?

Answer 2

Poor diet, excessive exercise, unstable housing, and social stressors can worsen nutrient deficiencies and physiological issues.

Question 3

Why might family therapy be offered for anorexia patients?

Answer 3

To create a supportive home environment, helping with meal plan adherence and emotional safety.

Question 4

Why is anorexia described as a ‘competitive condition’?

Answer 4

Individuals may compare body image and weight loss with others, fueling disordered behaviours.

Question 5

What are common nutrient deficiencies in anorexia and their effects?

Answer 5

• Scurvy: vitamin C deficiency
• Rickets: vitamin D/calcium deficiency
• Anaemia: iron deficiency
  (all cause weakness and poor growth)

Question 6

How does a lack of nutrition affect body temperature?

Answer 6

The body becomes cold due to decreased fat insulation and reduced metabolic activity.

Question 7

What are the risks of taking oral medication in someone with severe anorexia?

Answer 7

Poor absorption due to low fat and muscle mass can reduce drug efficacy.

Question 8

Why might periods stop in someone with anorexia?

Answer 8

The body shuts down non-essential functions (like reproduction) to preserve energy and organ function.

Question 9

How does anorexia affect fertility and bone health?

Answer 9

Reduced oestrogen hormone (steroid) leads to infertility because it prepares uterus for pregnancy & stimulates egg development and increased risk of osteoporosis as it slowly reduces natural bone breakdown.

Question 10

What is an agonist?

Answer 10

A substance which initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor.

Question 11

What is leptin and how is it affected in anorexia?

Answer 11

Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells to regulate hunger and metabolism (signaling molecule for hunger to brain)

Question 12

How is insulin production affected in anorexia?

Answer 12

Reduced food intake lowers glucose levels, reducing insulin production from the pancreas.

Question 13

How does anorexia affect the heart and blood vessels?

Answer 13

Weakened heart muscle, bradycardia (slow heart rate | >60 bpm), low blood pressure (hypotension), and increased risk of heart failure.

Question 14

What blood vessel problem occurs in regards to BP?

Answer 14

The body loses the ability to tighten blood vessels to increase blood pressure

Question 15

How does anorexia impact brain and nerve function?

Answer 15

Reduced oxygen from low heart rate starves brain and impairs memory, concentration, and may cause seizures.

Question 16

How is the mylein sheath of a nerve affected in anorexia?

Answer 16

Fat deficiency impairs myelin production and maintenance, since myelin mostly fat, which leads to demyelination, slowing down nerve transmission.

Question 17

How does anorexia affect kidney function?

Answer 17

Low blood pressure reduces glomerular filtration, risking kidney failure.

Question 18

How is anaemia diagnosed and caused in anorexia?

Answer 18

Caused by iron deficiency; diagnosed by blood tests like haemoglobin count, full blood count (FBC) & Hematocrit

Question 19

Why is the immune system weakened in anorexia?

Answer 19

Protein and nutrient deficiencies reduce antibody production and immune function.

Question 20

What substance is key for producing steroids?

Answer 20

Cholesterol makes the four ring steroids (hormones)

Question 21

What does current data say about anorexia prevalence?

Answer 21

• Most common in 15-18 year olds
• Low in men
• Lifetime prevalnace in women

Question 22

What ethical considerations must be made when researching anorexia?

Answer 22

• Informed consent
• Confidentiality
• Right to withdraw
• Scientific value
• Protection of vulnerable individuals (Children)

Question 23

State which nutrient deficiency causes anemia?

Answer 23

Iron

Question 24

What part of the Haemoglobin molecule does iron fit into?

Answer 24

Haem group

Question 25

Outline and identify the tests you would carry out to identify if an individual has anemia.

Answer 25

- Full blood count - Number of erythrocytes per ml - Hematocrit - Centrifuge the blood, then measure how much of it is RBC - Haemoglobin concentration - Use a spectrophotometer to measure light absorbed by haemoglobin at certain wavelength

Question 26

What type of molecule is cholesterol?

Answer 26

Steroid

Question 27

Where is cholesterol normally found in the body? (3)

Answer 27

- Fat cells - Membranes - Phospholipid bylayer

Question 28

Suggest why anorexia reduces fertility and cause loss of period?

Answer 28

- Hormones required for fertility (oestrogen) are no made - Extreme loss of fats cells slows steroid production

Question 29

What type of molecule is leptin?

Answer 29

protein hormone

Question 30

As a hormone what would leptin interact with in the brain to signal level of fat stores and energy

Answer 30

A receptor

Question 31

How could an appetite suppressant affect how leptin sends signals to the brain? (Antagonist & Agonist)

Answer 31

- Antagonist (Blocks Leptin): 1. Blocks leptin receptors competitively 2. Stops leptin entering cells & blood 3. Breaks down leptin - Agonist (Acts Like Leptin): 1. Looks like leptin – same shape, fits into receptors. 2. Turns on receptors – tricks brain into thinking leptin is there. 3. Sends "full" signal – makes brain think you're not hungry.

Question 32

Outline the role of the pancreas in producing insulin and in regulating blood sugar.

Answer 32

1. Pancreas is an endocrine gland, secreting hormones directly into bloodstream. 2. Islets of langerhans are specific region responsible for endocrine function. 3. Beta cells within langerhans produce insulin. 4. Stimulus for insulin release is high blood glucose levels above normal ranges 5. They lower blood glucose levels via glycogenesis. 5. Insulin is a protein hormone. 6. Insulin acts a signal molecule targeting cells in body. 7. Role is to regulate blood sugar levels

Question 33

How to calculate heart rate on graph?

Answer 33

1. R to R count how many little squares. 2. 1 second+ 25 squares according to key 3. 25 / little squares between R intervals = beats per second 4. Beats per second x 60

Question 34

What happens to the pressure in the heart during a normal heartbeat, and why?

Answer 34

. 1. Atrial Systole (Atria contract) - Atria squeeze → pressure rises. - Blood is pushed into ventricles (AV valves open). - Semilunar valves stay shut. 2. Ventricular Systole (Ventricles contract) - Ventricles squeeze → pressure rises. - AV valves close (to stop backflow). - When pressure is higher than in arteries, semilunar valves open → blood goes into arteries. 3. 3. Diastole (Heart relaxes) - All chambers relax → pressure drops. - Semilunar valves close (to stop backflow). - AV valves open → blood flows from atria into ventricles passively.

Question 35

How could losing muscle mass affect blood pressure during the heartbeat, and how might this lead to heart failure?

Answer 35

Losing heart muscle makes the heart weaker. It can’t pump as much blood, so blood pressure drops. The body tries to fix this by making the heart beat faster and tightening blood vessels. But the weak heart still can’t pump enough blood. Over time, this extra strain can lead to heart failure.

Question 36

How can you use an ECG to measure heart rate and find out what condition a patient has?

Answer 36

Stick wet electrodes on the skin to pick up the heart’s electrical signals. These signals are recorded by a machine and shown as wave patterns. The pattern shows how fast the heart is beating.

Question 37

Explain how low blood pressure could affect the ultrafiltration process in kidneys.

Answer 37

1.Blood enters afferent arteriole at lower pressure. 2. Little difference between pressure in afferent and efferent arterioles 3. Little of no pressure generated in glomerulus 4. Less ultrafiltration 5. Lower urine volume 6. Less urea removed.

Question 38

What do Osmotic laxatives do?

Answer 38

Create osmotic gradient drawing water from tissues of the gut into the stool

Question 39

What do Stimulant laxatives do?

Answer 39

Increases peristalsis

Question 40

What do stool softeners do?

Answer 40

Hydrates the stool resulting in softer stool that is more easily passable.

Question 41

What body systems does Scurvy affect (Vitamin C Deficiency)?

Answer 41

1. Skin - Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis providing structural support. 2. Muscular skeletal - Collagen also important for joint & muscle health. 3. Oral cavity - Gums are vulnerable, the deficiency weakens the connective tissues leading to swollen, bleeding gums and even tooth loss. 4. Nervous system - Symptoms like tiredness.

Question 42

What body systems does Rickets affect (Vitamin D & C deficiency) ?

Answer 42

1. Skeletal system - Vitamin D essential for calcium absorption which is vital for bone mineralization. Lack of vitamin D or calcium prevents proper bone formation. 2. Dental system - Rickets can lead to weak tooth enamel and delayed tooth eruption.

Question 43

What body system does Anemia affect (Iron deficiency)?

Answer 43

1. CV system - The protein in RBC that carries oxygen, hemoglobin has trails of Iron. Reduction in oxygen carrying capacity of blood, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and heart palpitations. 2. Skin - Becomes paler due to reduced amount of oxygenated blood circulating. 3. Nervous system - Tiredness, and headaches; common symptoms, indicating the impact of reduced O2 delivery to the brain.

Question 44

Explain homeostasis of blood glucose level

Answer 44

1. Blood glucose levels rise 2. The pancreas releases insulin via beta cells. 3. In response to insulin target cells take up glucose and the liver coverts glucose into glycogen 4. (Glycogenesis) blood glucose level fall 5. The pancreas releases glucagon via alpha cells. 6. In response to glucagon the liver breaks down glycogen and releases glucose into the blood (glycogenolysis)