Posted: February 28th, 2022

Title: Humans against Disease

Type of service: Academic Writing

Discipline: Nursing
Title: Humans against Disease
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Paper instructions:

LEARNING OUTCOMES
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The learner will:
The learner can:
3. Understand how unhealthy lifestyles and genetics contribute to the occurrence of disease. 3.1 Analyse the contribution of unhealthy lifestyles to the occurrence of disease
3.2 Explain how cell division provides the means of transmitting genetic information with reference to a named genetic disease
3.3 Explain how knowledge of disease can be used in the prevention and control of genetic and lifestyle linked disease.

Mapping to Unit
This assignment covers the following learning outcomes & assessment criteria
Assignment briefing and mapping to unit:
Produce a written report; your word count is 2,000 words (+/-10%). Word count for each section may be used as a guide:
Introduction – 200 words
Main body – 1500 words
Conclusion – 300 words

The basis of your report is the identification of two diseases – one inherited genetic disease and one disease linked to lifestyle choices.
Analyse the contribution of an unhealthy lifestyle to the occurrence of disease (3.1). You may choose either:
Type 2 Diabetes
Lung cancer
Analysis involves considering the chosen disease holistically. Consider signs, symptoms, outcomes and effects that the disease would have on a person’s life. You must also explain how knowledge of disease can be used in the prevention and control of lifestyle linked disease (3.3)
To achieve 3.2 you must explain how cell division provides the means of transmitting genetic information with reference to a named genetic disease. You may want to include a diagram/punnet square to facilitate your explanation. You may choose either:
Huntington’s disease
Cystic fibrosis
You must also explain how knowledge of genetic disease can be used in the prevention and control of it (3.3).

Appendices
You may wish to include documents which will enhance the relevance of information within your report. Appendices must be referred to within the main body of your work. An example of this is statistical information, chart or graph.

You must support your work with in-text citations and produce a reference list according to Harvard referencing conventions.

Grading information for this assignment
Grade descriptor: 2 a/c Application of Knowledge
The student’s work
For a Pass: Meet the assessment criteria to achieve the learning outcomes for the unit.
For Merit: Guidance
The student’s report makes use of relevant perspectives when analysing lifestyle choices and including the reasons for the choices. Knowledge of prevention and control of lifestyle diseases must be demonstrated.
For Distinction: Guidance
The student’s report makes use of relevant perspectives when analysing lifestyle choices and including the reasons for the choices. Knowledge of prevention and control of lifestyle and genetic diseases must be demonstrated.

Grading information for this assignment
Grade descriptor: 7c Quality
The student’s work
For a Pass: Meet the assessment criteria to achieve the learning outcomes for the unit.
For Merit: Guidance
The report, taken as a whole, demonstrates a very good response to the demands of the assignment brief. Work should be presented in the form of a report using appropriate academic structure. Spelling, punctuation and grammar should be to a very good standard.
For Distinction:
Guidance
The report, taken as a whole, demonstrates an excellent response to the demands of the assignment brief. Work must be presented in the form of a report using appropriate academic structure consistently well. Spelling, punctuation and grammar as well as use of level 3 terminology must be to an excellent standard.

Introduction

The occurrence of diseases can be attributed to both genetic and lifestyle factors. This report aims to identify and analyze one inherited genetic disease and one lifestyle-linked disease, namely Huntington’s disease and lung cancer, respectively. The report will analyze the contribution of unhealthy lifestyles to the occurrence of lung cancer, and explain how cell division provides the means of transmitting genetic information with reference to Huntington’s disease. Furthermore, the report will explain how knowledge of disease can be used in the prevention and control of genetic and lifestyle-linked diseases.

Main Body

Contribution of Unhealthy Lifestyles to the Occurrence of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease that can be caused by both genetic and environmental factors. However, the primary cause of lung cancer is smoking, which is a preventable risk factor (Haque et al., 2021). Smoking causes about 85% of all lung cancer cases, and it damages the DNA in lung cells, leading to mutations that cause cancer (Haque et al., 2021). Additionally, exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, and radon gas can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.

The signs and symptoms of lung cancer include coughing that persists for weeks, chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and weight loss (American Cancer Society, 2022). Lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body and cause complications, such as bone pain, jaundice, and headaches (American Cancer Society, 2022).

Prevention and control of lifestyle-linked diseases require knowledge of the disease and lifestyle changes. To prevent lung cancer, individuals should avoid smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke and limit exposure to air pollution and radon gas (Haque et al., 2021). Early diagnosis and treatment can also improve the chances of recovery.

Explanation of Cell Division with Reference to Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited genetic disease that affects the brain and causes the progressive degeneration of nerve cells (Cubo et al., 2020). The disease is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene, which provides instructions for making the huntingtin protein (Cubo et al., 2020). The mutated huntingtin protein is toxic to brain cells and leads to their degeneration.

Cell division provides the means of transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next. In humans, cell division occurs through mitosis and meiosis. During mitosis, cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells, each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell (Wojcik, 2022). In contrast, meiosis occurs during the formation of gametes (sperm and eggs), and it produces cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell (Wojcik, 2022).

Huntington’s disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means that a person only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene from one parent to develop the disease (Cubo et al., 2020). The Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the probability of offspring inheriting a particular trait. In the case of Huntington’s disease, a Punnett square can be used to show the likelihood of offspring inheriting the mutated huntingtin gene.

Knowledge of Genetic Disease in the Prevention and Control of Huntington’s Disease

Currently, there is no cure for Huntington’s disease, and treatment aims to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life (Cubo et al., 2020). However, knowledge of the disease can aid in its prevention and control. Genetic testing can identify individuals who carry the mutated huntingtin gene, and they can make informed decisions about their reproductive options and future health care (Cubo et al., 2020). Additionally, research on the genetic basis of the disease can lead to the development of new therapies and treatments that can slow down or halt the progression of the disease.

Genetic and lifestyle-linked diseases pose significant health risks to individuals, and prevention and control of these diseases require knowledge and lifestyle changes. Smoking is a major preventable risk factor for lung cancer, and avoiding smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can reduce the risk of developing the disease. Huntington’s disease is an inherited genetic disease caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene, and knowledge of the disease can aid in its prevention and control. Genetic testing and research on the genetic basis of the disease can lead to new therapies and treatments that can improve the quality of life of individuals affected by the disease.

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