Topic 3- Problems of, and Solutions to, a Changing Environment Flashcards
What are drugs?
Drugs are chemical substances that affect the central nervous system, causing changes in psychological behaviour and possibly addiction.
What are opiates?
Opiates are drugs that come from poppy plants.
What are the 4 types of drugs?
- stimulants
- depressants
- painkillers
- hallucinogens
How do the 4 types of drugs affect neurotransmission?
- stimulants speed up the transmission of a message across a synapse.
- depressants slow down the transmission of a message across a synapse.
- painkillers precent the transmission of a message across a synapse.
- hallucinogens block pathways to the sensory pathways to the brain.
What are illegal and legal examples of the 4 types of drugs?
stimulants: legal- caffeine, nicotine. illegal- cocaine, speed
depressants: legal- alcohol. illegal- barbiturates, solvents
painkillers: legal- paracetamol. illegal- heroin
hallucinogens- legal- (legal highs?) illegal- LSD
What are solvents?
Solvents are depressants that give off different kinds of vapours.
What is alcohol?
Alcohol is a depressant that contains the chemical ethanol.
What is tobacco?
Tobacco is the substance in cigarettes that contains tar and nicotine, and produces carbon monoxide when smoked.
What are the physical and mental effects of a solvent when inhaled?
Physical effect - can cause permanent damage to the lungs, liver, brain and kidneys
Mental effect - causes hallucinations, alter behaviour and personality
What are the physical and mental effects of alcohol?
Physical effect - can cause brain and liver damage (cirrhosis) and blurred vision
Mental effect - can cause depression, and can lead to loss of inhibitions and self-control
What are the physical and mental effects of tobacco?
Physical effect - carbon monoxide absorbed by the haemoglobin in red blood cells more easily than oxygen.
Can lead to: emphysema (alveoli walls break down), build up of mucus, bronchitis, cancer caused by tar, increased heart rate and blood pressure.
Mental effect - nicotine is addictive
What is a carcinogen?
A carcinogen is a chemical that causes cancer.
What is the carcinogen in cigarettes?
Tar is the carcinogen in cigarettes.
What is a transplant?
A transplant is when an organ or tissue is moved from one patient to another or from one part of a patient to another.
What are examples of some organs that can be transplanted?
Hearts, kidneys, livers, lungs, intestines, pancreases
What are examples of some tissues that can be transplanted?
Skin, bones, tendons, corneas, heart valves and veins.
What are 3 ethical issues of organ transplants?
- Voluntary or mandatory donation (should people have to give organs when they die or should they make the conscious decision when they are alive)
- Should people who may have had some control over their condition be allowed to have transplants (eg. liver transplants for alcoholics)
- Theft of, and then illegal trade of, organs (trafficking/black market)
What are pathogens?
Microorganisms that cause disease.
What are the 4 types of pathogens?
Bacteria, Fungi, Viruses, Protozoan
What are 2 examples of diseases that each of the 4 types of pathogens cause?
Bacteria - salmonella, tuberculosis
Fungi - ringworm, athlete’s foot
Viruses - Influenza, HIV
Protozoan - malaria, ?
What is the most common method of transmission of pathogens?
Indirect contact
What disease is caused by drinking dirty water?
Cholera
What disease is caused by eating uncooked meat?
Salmonella (food poisoning)
What disease is airborne?
Influenza
What disease is caused by a vector?
Malaria (mosquito), dysentery (housefly).
What disease is caused by direct contact?
Athlete’s foot fungus