Misconceptions

Relating to structures of the body and nutrition

Young people can’t get heart attacks

• While the risk of heart attack rises with age, teens and young adults can have heart attacks.

• Risk factors that are controlled early in life make it less likely to persist later in life

• The lesson is that just because someone is not “old” that does not mean that symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath are not signs of a heart attack.

If one of my organs fail I can just get a transplant.

• The waiting lists to receive transplants are very long.

• Depending on your age and overall health you may not receive one.

• The best organs are the ones you already have.

You can only get diabetes if you eat too much sugar

• Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease.

• Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or from fat, can contribute to weight gain.

• Eating a healthy meal plan and regular exercise are recommended to manage your weight.

0g of fat means that the food/drink is healthy

• Not necessarily.• A nutrition label may have

0g of fat on it but have an excess amount of calories.

• If you consume an excess amount of calories it will turn into fat.

Connections to other chaptersOther Chapters

• Genetic processes – understanding inheritance

• Introducing evolution- artificial selection and food crops

• Genetic Processes- importance of meiosis and genetic disorders

Animals: Structure and Function• The digestive system-

disorders of the accessory organs and diabetes

• The digestive system- chemical digestion and absorption

• The digestive system and cardiovascular system and their disorders.