National 5 Biology Course Notes

Unit 2 : Multicellular Organisms

Part 8 : Effect of lifestyle choices on animal transport systems

These lifestyle choices can have a harmful effect on the heart and blood vessels

1. A high fat diet2. A high salt content in the diet3. Lack of exercise4. Smoking tobacco5. Excessive alcohol drinking6. Stress

These directly and indirectly increase the chance of fat deposits forming in blood vessels, blood clots, heart attacks, strokes and type II diabetes.

Fat deposits in artery walls narrow the vessels and restrict blood flow. This and blood clots block arteries stopping blood flow and causing heart attacks and strokes

Anaemia

The mineral iron is needed to make haemoglobin.Deficiency of iron in the diet leads to anaemia.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors which pose hazards to our health include;

1. Toxic heavy metals which are found in paint, fuel and old pipes.2. Carbon Monoxide pollution via vehicle exhausts, faulty gas mains or fires in homes.3. Radiation from unprotected exposure to the sun including the use of sunbeds.