27 - Drugs Flashcards
What do hallucinogens do?
Alter what is seen and heard
What do painkillers do?
Block nerve impulses
What do performance enhancers do?
Improve muscle development
What do stimulants do?
Increase nerve and brain activity
Which types of drugs affect the synapses between neurones in the nervous system?
Stimulants cause more neurotransmitter molecules to diffuse across the synapse
Depressants stop neurones from sending nerve impulses by binding to the receptors
What are anabolic steroids an example of?
Performance enhancers
What are nicotine, alcohol, and ecstasy examples of?
Stimulants
What are some examples of depressants?
Alcohol, solvents
What is the first stage of drug testing?
Computer models and human cells grown in the laboratory
Why are drugs tested on animals?
To monitor possible dangerous side effects
What are clinical trials?
Drug trials on healthy volunteers initially, then people who have the illness the drugs treats
Why are double-blind trials used?
To avoid bias (the researcher may give away clues)
Which addictive drugs can cause damage to the heart and circulatory system?
Heroin and cocaine
When was penicillin discovered?
1928
How can smoking in pregnancy damage the fetus?
Increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth
Low birth weight
