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 diet 2.A high salt content in the diet 3.Lack of exercise 4.Smoking tobacco 5.Excessive alcohol drinking 6.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.