D4 Depressants
D.4.1 Effects of depressants
At low doses, depressants may have little or no effect
At moderate doses, compound may induce sedation
reduction of anxiety, soothing effect
At high doses, depressants may induce sleep
Extremely high doses can result in death
D.4.2 Social and psychological effects of abuse of ethanol
Background:
The actual mode of action of ethanol is not fully understood:
at low concentrations it is a stimulant but at high
concentrations it becomes a depressant.
However most of the problems attributed to ethanol (C2H5OH)
are probably due to the action of ethanal (CH3CHO) formed
from ethanol by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in
the liver.
This compound interacts with neurotransmitters to produce
chemicals with psychotropic activity.
Ethanal is then metabolized to ethanoate ions (CH3COO)
and eventually to water and carbon dioxide. The average 70
kg human male can oxidize about 10 grams of ethanol per
hour.
Effect on family life and cost to society:
Alcohol is addictive, can cause hardship to the families of
addicts as financial situation can become strained family
income can be spent on large amounts of alcohol instead
of food and other essential items.
Many people become bad tempered and violent under the
influence of alcohol, butting the wellbeing of friends and
family at risk.
Lack of productivity can result in unemployment.
Alcohol slows mental performance and response times
making activities such as driving or operating of heavy
machinery dangerous.
D5 Stimulants
D.5.3 Discuss the effect of short term and long term effects of
nicotine consumption
Short term effects of
nicotine
Increases alertness
Reduction of anxiety and
tension
Constricts blood vessels
putting strain on the heart
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure
Reduction in urine output
Stimulating effects
Higher doses
Affects physical
coordination of the user.
Can cause sleeplessness,
anxiety and irritability.
D6 Antibacterials
D.6.1 Outline the historical development of penicillin
D.6.2 Explain how penicillins work and discuss the side effects
of modifying the side chain.
D.6.3 Describe and explain the importance of patient
compliance and the effect of penicillin over prescription
D7 Antivirals
D.7.1 State how viruses differ from bacteria
Bacteria
Living
Single celled micro-organism
Bacteria contain:
Single chromosome in the
nucleoid
Rigid cell wall
A cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Ribosomes
Feed
Excrete
Grow
Reproduce asexually
Virus
Non-living
Non-cellular and submicroscopic
Viruses contain:
A central core of DNA or
RNA with a protein coat
No nucleus, cytoplasm,
ribosomes, cell membrane
or cell wall
The enzymes invade a cell
and replicate their nucleic
acids
Do not feed, excrete or
grow
Use the ribosomes of the
cell they have invaded to
reproduce