Tobacco smoking

Question 1

What do we know about nicotine’s physio-chemical properties and mechanism of action

Answer 1

Can cross membranes (skin, airways)

Absorption of nicotine through lipid membrane Depends on pH and nature of tobacco

Question 2

What is nicotine’s mechanism of action?

Answer 2

It binds to the family of acetylcholine receptors

Question 3

What are the two classes of acetylcholine receptors?

Answer 3

Nicotine acetylcholine receptors

Muscarinic receptors

Question 4

Description of Nicotine acetylcholine receptors

Answer 4

Nicotine specifically binds to it
Ligand gated ion channels (when bound to the channel opens and allows ions to go through)
Each receptor is made up of 5 subunits called pentamere

Question 5

Where is acetylcholine receptor specifically disturbed in the body?

Answer 5

In the brain

With mAchR’s nicotine receptors are involved in reward pathway and sleep

Question 6

Does nicotine cross the placenta barrier and how?

Answer 6

Yes from mother to foetus

Question 7

Is nicotine eliminated from mother and foetus the same

Answer 7

No

Question 8

How is nicotine eliminated in adults?

Answer 8

Metabolised by the liver by enzymes called CYPs

Question 9

How is nicotine eliminated in a foetus and why?

Answer 9

Liver enzymes are not fully developed
slows down nicotine elimination
Relies on mothers capacity to eliminate

Question 10

What is the effect of smoking to the foetus?

Answer 10

Smoking doesn’t effect respiratory system

Smoking and poor nutrition are linked which causes health risk to foetus and risks to future child