Drugs: Types & Effects

Class Typical Effects Overdose Effects         Depressants   Alcohol Increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) By increasing an inhibitory neurotransmitter, alcohol dampens down neural firing Also decreases the activity of glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter Person literally becomes less inhibited and feels euphoric An initial upper phase from the release of…

Using Human Embryos in Brain Research

Stem cells are highly controversial cells that have the potential to treat and even cure certain cell-related neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease (Devitt, 2006, p 14). Stem cells are identified by two main characteristics: they are undifferentiated cells that can replicate through mitosis, and they have the potential to become specialized…

How Does Cyanide kill you? Cytochrome C Inhibitor

These processes occur on the inner mitochondrial membrane.  The ETC consists of four main protein complexes: I, NADH dehydrogenase, II,  succinate dehydrogenase, III, cytochrome complex, and IV, cytochrome oxidase.  In each protein complex, are cofactors, which transfer electrons from NADH and FADH2 to O2.  NADH donates an electron to complex I, releasing NAD+ and an…

Descent with Modification: A Darwinian View of Life

Darwin’s Five Observations More young are produced than survive Individuals vary in their characteristics Some characteristics are better than others These characteristics are inheritable Long periods of time are available Darwin’s Two Major Points Many species of organisms presently inhabiting the earth are descendants of ancestral species that were different from modern species The mechanism…

What is Dehydration? Causes, Treatment

Dehydration is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that is caused by the lack of water needed for the body to function well. If not treated, dehydration can cause high body temperature, sleepiness, visual snow, dizziness, unconsciousness, hypotension (decreased blood pressure), headaches, nausea, paresthesia (limbs tingling), shriveled and wrinkled skin, dim vision, incapability to urinate,…