OxfordAQA International A Level Biology
OxfordAQA International A Level Biology 3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors Exam Questions
Free OxfordAQA International A Level Biology revision for 3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors: what you need to know, common mistakes and exam-style questions with answers. Covers atheroma, aneurysm, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and the risk factors of diet, blood cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure.
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About OxfordAQA International A Level Biology 3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors
This Unit 2 topic explains the biological basis of coronary heart disease. You need to describe how atheroma forms as lipid-containing material in the walls of arteries, and how it increases the risk of aneurysm and thrombosis. You also need to explain how interrupted blood flow in a coronary artery leads to myocardial infarction. The second part focuses on risk factors, including diet, blood cholesterol, cigarette smoking and high blood pressure, and on analysing and evaluating risk and incidence data. It builds on the heart and blood vessels topic and on the lifestyle content in 3.2.1, and it often appears as a data analysis question.
What you need to know
- Atheroma Atheroma is a fatty deposit containing lipid such as cholesterol that forms in the wall of an artery under the endothelium. It narrows the lumen and reduces blood flow.
- Aneurysm Atheroma weakens the artery wall. Blood at high pressure can make the weakened wall balloon outwards, forming an aneurysm that may burst.
- Thrombosis If an atheroma breaks through the endothelium, the rough surface can trigger a blood clot (thrombus). The clot can block the artery or travel elsewhere.
- Myocardial infarction If a coronary artery is blocked, part of the heart muscle receives too little oxygen for aerobic respiration and the cells die. This is a myocardial infarction, or heart attack.
- Risk factors High blood cholesterol (especially LDL), diets high in saturated fat and salt, smoking and high blood pressure all increase the risk. Carbon monoxide in smoke reduces oxygen transport, and nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Common mistakes in 3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors
- Saying atheroma forms inside the lumen. It forms in the artery wall beneath the endothelium.
- Saying a myocardial infarction is caused by a lack of blood to the heart chambers. It is the lack of oxygen to heart muscle supplied by the coronary arteries.
- Treating risk factors as causes. They increase the likelihood of disease but do not guarantee it.
- Describing data trends without numbers. Quote figures from the graph or table to support each point.
Try three 3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors exam-style questions
1. Explain how a blocked coronary artery can lead to a myocardial infarction. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Less blood reaches part of the heart muscle; so less oxygen for aerobic respiration; heart muscle cells die.
2. Explain how high blood pressure increases the risk of an aneurysm. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
High pressure damages the artery wall / increases atheroma formation; the weakened wall swells / balloons outwards.
3. Describe how a thrombus can form in an artery affected by atheroma. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Atheroma breaks through / ruptures the endothelium; the damaged surface triggers clotting, forming a thrombus.
3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors FAQs
What does OxfordAQA International A Level Biology 3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors cover?
It covers atheroma, aneurysm, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and the risk factors of diet, blood cholesterol, smoking and high blood pressure.
Which unit is 3.2.7 Heart Disease may be Associated with Specific Risk Factors examined in?
It is part of Unit 2, Biological systems and disease, which is examined at International AS. The Unit 5 synoptic paper at A2 can also draw on this content.
What should I include when evaluating heart disease data?
Describe the correlation, note that it does not prove cause, and check sample size, whether other risk factors were controlled and how the people studied were chosen. Mention whether the data support a biological explanation such as raised blood cholesterol.
