3rd year Science: Human Health- Learning checklist
You must be able to do the following:
1.	What is our health influenced by?
Answer: Our health is influenced by two types of factors; Inherited factors and Environmental factors.  

2.	What is meant by ‘inherited factors’?
Answer: Inherited factors are caused by our DNA. Sections of DNA are called genes. Some people have genes that do not work properly which can impact on human health by causing a disease such as sickle cell anaemia 

3.	Explain the term ‘carrier of a disease’.
Answer: A carrier of a disease contains one gene for the disease, for example Nn. This person does not suffer from the disease but can pass on the recessive gene to their offspring. 

4.	State the meaning of the genotypes listed below in relation to inherited diseases. Note; N (normal) is dominant to n (diseased)
NN – normal, does not suffer from disease
Nn – normal, does not suffer from disease but carrier of gene
nn – person suffers from disease

5.	List ‘environmental factors’ that effect human health
Answer: Diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol intake, relaxation. 

6.	What is the function of food? Why do we eat food? 
Answer: Food such as glucose provides use with energy. We release this energy from food through the process of respiration. Food such as proteins help our cells to grow and repair themselves. Food contains vitamins and minerals which help prevent diseases.

7.	Fill in the table below in relation to the 6 nutrients found in food 
Answer: 
 
Nutrient 	Source 	Function 	
Protein 	Meat, fish, eggs 	Growth & repair of cells 	
Fat 	Butter, olive oil, fish	Energy for everyday activities  	
Carbohydrate 	Bread, pasta, rice 	Energy for everyday activities 	
Vitamin C	Citrus fruits, kiwi	Making new cells in our gums 	
Minerals - Calcium	Milk, cheese, yoghurt	Healthy bones and teeth 	
Water 	Fruits, tea, milk	Hydration 	

8.	What is meant by ‘balanced diet’?
Answer: A balanced diet is one that contains the correct amount of each of the 6 nutrients 

9.	What are the benefits of a balanced diet? 
Answer: A person will have stronger muscle and bones, better mental health and a lower risk of disease such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

10.	What are the risks associated with an unhealthy diet?
Answer: An unhealthy diet can lead to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. 

11.	Food provides us with energy. What is the unit used to measure the amount of energy supplied by food? 
Answer: Energy in food is measured in calories or kilojoules (kj) 

12.	List 3 factors that our energy (calorie) requirements depend on. 
Answer: Gender – men need more calories than women due to a greater amount of muscle. Age – young people need more calories that older people due to a more active lifestyle. Activity levels – the more active a person is, the more calories they need. 

13.	What system breaks down the food we consume? 
Answer: The digestive system is needed to break down food into tiny pieces which are then absorbed by our small intestine into the blood. 

14.	What happens to tiny food pieces that are absorbed by the small intestine into the blood?
Food particles enter the blood and are transported by the arteries to the organs of the body where they are needed. The food particles enter our cells and then respiration takes place. The energy in the food particles are released by the breaking of the bonds in the food. Carbon dioxide is also released from food during respiration as well as energy. The cells use this energy that is released from food to function. 
The carbon dioxide then leaves the cells and re-enters the blood. The carbon dioxide travels in the veins towards the lungs. The carbon dioxide enters the alveoli and is exhaled out of the body.