Drugs, smoking and alcohol Flashcards
What are the general effects of painkillers?
Painkillers block nerve impulses. Painkillers prevent messages getting from pain receptors to the CNS.
e.g. Morphine and paracetamol.
What is a drug?
A drug is a chemical substance from outside the body that affects the central nervous system, thus causing chemical reactions inside the body- causes changes in psychological behaviour. It can be addictive.
What are the general effects of hallucinogens?
A hallucinogen distorts your sense of perception of what is real and what is not. This affects your psychological behaviour.
e.g. LSD and cannabis.
What are the general effects of stimulants?
Stimulants speed up reaction times and neurotransmissions at the synapse.
e.g. Caffeine and nicotine.
What are the general effects of depressants?
Depressants slow down the activity of the brain by decreasing the speed of neurotransmissions across the synapse, this slows down the speed of reactions.
e.g. Alcohol and sedatives.
Wally decides that he wants to check his reaction times for SCIENCE :D ! He decides to gather results from different times and under different circumstances.
A) What were these circumstances and why?
B) Make a prediction.
Morning, midday, evening- to check when he is more awake.
After a caffeine drink- to test what happens after he has a stimulant.
He will repeat this test 3+ times to make sure that he has reliable results.
In the morning he will be the slowest. In midday he will be fast. In the evening he will be fast-ish. (caffeine) In the morning he will be fast-ish In midday he will be fastest In evening he will be fast
(Please note: these results may vary depending on the person)
Name the effects of smoking.
It is carcinogenic (it causes cancer) Contains tar- can cause cancer. Causes lung cancer Causes tooth decay Gives you bad breath It contains nicotine- addictive
It is an expensive hobby.
What is nicotine?
Nicotine is a very addictive drug. It is a stimulant. Nicotine can cause cravings. Nicotine can also cause a higher pulse rate and narrowed blood vessels. Smokers become addicted inspire of the fact that it gives you a high blood pressure meaning it can cause heart disease.
What are the effects of tar in a cigarette?
Tar is a carcinogen meaning it can cause cancer. It disrupts the DNA. It can also cause blockage and build up in the lungs. It can irritate and narrow air passages causing smokers cough and cancer.
Why is it bad when you inhale carbon monoxide (from cigarettes)?
It is bad because the CO can bind to the haemoglobin in the red blood cells (RBC) much tighter than O2 can, this is a irreversible process. This means that the RBC can’t carry oxygen to the body because they are carrying the CO. This could lead to respiratory problems making the person breathless. It can also make the blood clot more easily which can lead to heart attacks/strokes.
What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a toxic substance that is used to preserve dead bodies. If it is ingested it can cause cancer, breathing problems, skin problems and digestive problems.
What can the various chemicals in cigarettes do to the body?
The various chemicals can cause weakened air sacks and less surface area in the lungs, this leads to emphysema- breathlessness, this is because the body cannot absorb enough energy.
The various chemicals can also cause inflamed air passages and stop cilia from working. This could lead to bronchitis-, this is where mucus, tar, dirt and bacteria stay in the lungs.
What is benzene (contained within cigarettes)?
Benzene is a solvent and a carcinogen. This means that it can cause cancer and leukaemia.
What is Cadmium (contained within cigarettes)?
Cadmium is a poisonous metal that can cause liver/kidney/brain damage.
What are the short term affects of alcohol?
Blurred vision, lowering of inhibitions, and slowing of reactions- it is a depressant.
