AP Biology Questions on Atherosclerosis: Challenging Concepts

📚 Quick Study Guide

• ❤️‍🩹 What it is: Atherosclerosis is a disease where plaque builds up inside your arteries.
• 🩸 Arteries Affected: Can affect arteries in the heart (coronary arteries), brain (carotid arteries), legs (peripheral arteries), and more.
• 🧱 Plaque Composition: Plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.
• 📉 Consequences: Can lead to reduced blood flow, blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
• 🧬 Risk Factors: High cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, family history.
• 🩺 HDL vs. LDL: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is "good" cholesterol; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is "bad" cholesterol.
• 🧪 Inflammation: Inflammation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
• 🥗 Prevention: Healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, managing stress.
• 💊 Treatment: Medications (statins, antiplatelet drugs), angioplasty, bypass surgery.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is NOT a major component of atherosclerotic plaque?
   1. A. Cholesterol
   2. B. Calcium
   3. C. Fibrin
   4. D. Glucose
2. Which lipoprotein is considered "good" cholesterol because it helps remove cholesterol from the arteries?
   1. A. LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)
   2. B. VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein)
   3. C. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)
   4. D. Chylomicrons
3. What is the primary mechanism by which statins reduce the risk of atherosclerosis?
   1. A. Increasing HDL levels
   2. B. Decreasing LDL levels
   3. C. Preventing blood clot formation
   4. D. Lowering blood pressure
4. Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis?
   1. A. Genetic Predisposition
   2. B. Age
   3. C. Family History
   4. D. Smoking
5. Inflammation plays a significant role in atherosclerosis. Which of the following markers is often elevated in individuals with atherosclerosis?
   1. A. C-reactive protein (CRP)
   2. B. Hemoglobin
   3. C. Albumin
   4. D. Creatinine
6. Where does atherosclerosis commonly develop?
   1. A. Veins
   2. B. Capillaries
   3. C. Arteries
   4. D. Lymphatic vessels
7. Atherosclerosis can lead to ischemia. What does ischemia refer to?
   1. A. Excessive blood flow
   2. B. Reduced blood flow and oxygen supply
   3. C. Increased blood pressure
   4. D. Formation of new blood vessels