Biology Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is addiction?
A physical or mental dependence on a drug.
Name 3 common legal recreational drugs?
Alcohol. Nicotine. Caffeine.
Name 2 very addictive illegal drugs?
Heroin. Cocaine.
Name 3 recreational drugs that are stimulants?
Caffeine. Nicotine. Cocaine.
Name 2 recreational drugs that are depressants?
Alcohol. Cannabis.
How does a stimulant affect your brain?
It speeds up the activity of the brain.
How does a depressant affect your brain?
It slows down responses of the brain.
What can be the short term affects of excessive alcohol use?
Relaxation, loss of inhibitions, vomiting, unconsciousness.
Which 2 organs are affected most by long term alcohol use?
Cirrhosis
What is the name of the addictive drug found in tobacco smoke?
Nicotine.
What diseases are associates with smoking tobacco?
Hear disease. Stroke. Lung, Mouth & Throat cancer.
Name the harmful gas found in tobacco smoke?
Carbon monoxide.
What is a carcinogen?
A substance that causes cancer.
Name the major carcinogen found in tobacco smoke?
Tar
What risk factors are associated with smoking in pregnancy?
Miscarriage. Premature birth. Low birth weight.
What affect does carbon monoxide have on the body?
It prevents the blood from carrying oxygen.
What are the 3 main stages of testing when developing a new medical drug?
- Cell testing
- Animal testing
- Clinical trials on healthy.
What is a placebo?
A substance imitating a medicine but containing none of the drug.
Describe a double-blind trial?
A trial in which some patients are given the new drug and some a placebo. Neither of the doctors or patients are told which.
What is thalidomide?
A medicine developed in the 1950’s as a sleeping pill.
Why did thalidomide cause a change to the law on drug development?
It was used to treat pregnant women for morning sickness without proper testing and caused birth defects.
What new law was passed following the thalidomide tragedy?
The medicines act 1968- all drugs must be tested on animals to test their effects on developing fetuses.
What are Drugs?
Substances that change the chemical process in the body.
