B1 - Drugs and Alcohol

Question 1

What is a drug?

Answer 1

A chemical that alters the way your body or brain works. May alter your behaviour as well as your metabolism.

Question 2

Describe the terms tolerance and addiction.

Answer 2

• Because all drugs alter your body chemistry , you body may become tolerant to them. You may need to increase the dose to get the same effects.
• You are addicted if your body doesn’t work properly without the drug.

Question 3

Describe some withdrawal symptoms.

Answer 3

• nausea
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• hallucinations
• shaking
• craving the drug

Question 4

Give examples of depressants, stimulants, painkillers, performance enhancers and hallucinogens. Describe the effects of it on your body and mind.

Answer 4

Depressant example - alcohol. Effects - slows down brain and nerve activity

Stimulant examples - nicotine, caffeine. Effects - increase brain activity and counteract depression

Painkiller example - aspirin. Effects - block nerve impulses.

Performance enhancer examples - anabolic steroids. Effects - increase muscle development

Hallucinogen examples - cannabis , LSD. Effects - distort what you see / hear

Question 5

How do depressants and stimulants work?

Answer 5

Depressants reduce activity at synapses. They bind to the receptor molecules on the next neurone and block transmission of the nerve impulse.

Stimulants, on the other hand, cause more transmitter substance to cross the synapse.

Question 6

What substances are in tobacco?

Answer 6

Carbon monoxide, tar, particulates and nicotine

Question 8

How does tar affect your body?

Answer 8

It is an irritant. It is carcinogenic of lungs, threat, oesophagus, mouth and bladder. It may also damage cells in the trachea, bronchi , and bronchioles and prevent the cilia from working properly. Mucus accumulates which make cause a cough or bronchitis.

Question 9

How do particulates affect your body?

Answer 9

These accumulate in lung tissue. White blood cells ingest them and release an enzyme that harms alveoli and leads to emphysema.

Question 10

Why do some people drink alcohol?

Answer 10

It can make people feel relaxed as it depresses the activity of the nervous system.
If you drink it in small amounts it can be good for your health.

Question 11

What are some short term effects of alcohol?

Answer 11

• blurred vision
• impaired speech
• loss of self - control
• impaired judgement and mental confusion
• increased reaction times
• drowsiness

Question 12

What are some long term effects of alcohol?

Answer 12

• cirrhosis of the liver. Enzymes in liver cells break down the toxic alcohol. The produces other toxic products that damage the liver.
• brain damage including loss of memory and depression
• weight gain
• fatty liver
• increased risk of diabetes and heart disease
• Cancer of liver, mouth, threat and oesophagus

Question 13

How does nicotine affect your body?

Answer 13

This is addictive. Smokers become tolerant and dependant making it hard to stop. It also increases heart rate and puts a strain on it.