Chapter 15 Flashcards
drug
any substance taken into the body that modifies or affects chemical reactions in the body
Describe the use of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infection
Antibiotics are used as a way to kill bacteria or stop their growth. For example, penicillin inhibits the cell wall formation which leads to the breakdown of the cell wall and leakage of cell contents. Some stop substances from crossing the cell membrane and some stop enzymes catalysing important reactions.
What can reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics?
some bacteria are resistant to antibiotics, so when the first wave of antibiotics kill all the weak bacteria, the antibiotic-resistant bacteria reproduce with the gene which reduces the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Antibiotics work on….
bacteria, not viruses. because viruses are not cells and they rely on the cells of our host. This would mean that the antibiotic would have to inhibit our own cells, which is not possible.
Explain how development of resistant bacteria such as MRSA can be minimised
The overuse of antibiotics when they are not needed help to build up the immunity in some bacteria for antibiotics. Therefore they should only be used when essential and should be done when it is ensured that all the bacteria will die.
Describe the effects of excessive alcohol consumption and abuse of heroin
powerful depressant drugs like heroin can cause lack of pain and a state known as euphoria. Alcohol can lead to an effect where reaction time slows down and you have a lack of self control. Furthermore heroin addiction comes easily as one can become used to the drug and the body stops producing its own painkillers, making pain unbearable and so they take more heroin. Alcohol addiction can come when the body is used to alcohol so one takes more to keep the effect, making them tense and irritable without a drink. Also withdrawal symptoms include sleeplessness, hallucinations, muscles cramps, sweating, vomiting and nausea.
There are also negative social implications, e.g. crime. Alcohol is a factor in crime, family disputes, marital problems, child neglect and abuse, absenteeism from work, vandalism, assault and violent crime. Heroin can turn people to crime to fund their addiction, make it difficult to keep a job, family breakdowns and homelessness.
Explain how heroin affects the nervous system
Heroin has a chemical structure similar to endorphins. endorphins are naturally produced by the brain and provides relief when the body feels pain or stress. Endorphins works by flooding the synapses in the brain and preventing neurones from transmitting impulses from pain receptors. producing pain relief. Heroin works by binding at the endorphin-receptor sites on the post synaptic membrane of the synapse blocking nerve transmission.
why does heroin injections cause HIV?
If heroin injections are shared, they can cause HIV to another person if one of the persons has it; as the syringe has been in the persons bloodstream.
What can excessive alcohol consumption cause?
liver damage
What can tobacco cause?
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and coronary heart disease
Describe the effects on the gas exchange system of tobacco smoke and its major toxic components,
Nicotine - it is absorbed quickly by the alveoli and into the blood stream. It is a stimulant, making the heart beat faster and increasing the blood pressure. Also causes stickiness in platelets.
Tar - collects in the lungs as it does not bass into the bloodstream. Tar irritates the lining of the airways producing more mucus. This accumulates as the cilia are damaged by smoking, making the airways smaller.
Carbon monoxide - combines permanently with the haemoglobin and therefore reduce the volume of oxygen that is able to be carried. This adds a strain to the heart. There is less oxygen delivered in the blood, therefore.
What is the site for break down of alcohol and other toxins?
the liver
Discuss the evidence for the link between smoking and lung cancer
In the early 20th century, deaths form lung cancer were low, but increased dramatically as the habit of cigarette smoking increase. However, other lung diseases decrease with better medical care.
Discuss the use of hormones to improve sporting performance
Anabolic steroids are similar to testosterone. They mimic the protein building effects of testosterone, leading to muscle growth which gives an athlete more strength and endurance. It also leads to aggression, impotence, baldness, kidney and liver damage and development o breasts.
