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8 (a) LDL cholesterol is a type of cholesterol which increases the risk of heart disease - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 8
8 (a) LDL cholesterol is a type of cholesterol which increases the risk of heart disease. Statins are drugs used to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Figure 12 shows th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:8 (a) LDL cholesterol is a type of cholesterol which increases the risk of heart disease - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 8 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe the effect of statins on LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
Answer
Statins effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. As depicted in Figure 12, there is a noticeable decrease in the LDL cholesterol levels shortly after the man began taking statins in February. The graph shows that levels dropped significantly and stabilized around 1.0 mmol per dm³ by May, indicating that the statins were effective in reducing LDL cholesterol.
Step 2
Use evidence from the graph to explain why statins are usually prescribed as life-long medication.
Answer
The graph demonstrates that LDL cholesterol levels remained low for a period after beginning statin treatment but also began to rise again as the treatment was stopped. This fluctuation suggests that ongoing usage of statins is necessary to maintain low levels of LDL cholesterol, thus highlighting the importance of lifelong medication for individuals at risk of heart disease.
Step 3
Step 4
Explain how gonorrhoea is transmitted and how the number of people infected can be reduced.
Answer
Gonorrhoea is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. To reduce the number of infections, public health initiatives should focus on promoting safe sex practices, including the use of condoms and regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The graph in Figure 13 indicates a rising trend in diagnosed cases, which underscores the urgent need for education and prevention strategies to curb the spread of gonorrhoea.