Neuron+Project+Alcohol+SLS


 * Alcohol Project: Neuron Related**

__Alcohol's effects on the brain:__

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web1/Kim.html

__Mouse Party__:

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/mouse.html

__How alcohol works:__ Alcohol is a drug that is absorbed into the blood stream from the stomach and the small intestine, then the liver breaks down the alcohol. There is a limit to how fast the liver can break down the alcohol and until it is all broken down, the alcohol circulates in the blood stream. When alcohol reaches the brain, it causes an individual to feel 'drunk' --this is when the brain is slowed down due to the effect of alcohol.

__Effects on the brain:__ Alcohol mainly effects the GABA receptors, which enhance inhabitation. GABA receptors are located throughout the brain and they act to control neural activity. When alcohol makes changes in the GABA receptors and hinders their ability this is what causes dependence and addiction. Neurotransmitters called glutamate are responsible for the brains excitatory manner. Alcohol enters the brain and binds with the GABA receptors making them more inhibitory --alcohol is also a depressant sedative. Secondly, it binds to glutamate which prevents the cell from exciting.

__Effects on the body:__ Impairs concentration, slurs speech, slower reaction time, causes drowsiness and alters emotions. In higher doses, BAC = 0.25 to 0.4 percent, one cannot see clearly, uncoordinated movements, cannot stand or walk, may vomit, and they lapse in and out of consciousness. Lastly, with a BAC = 0.35 to 0.50 percent, a person is put into a coma and anything higher they die.

__Addiction:__ (http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/alcohol-addiction.htm) Alcohol addiction is one's dependancy on alcohol. Alcoholism may be hereditary, or it may be spurred on in reaction to a traumatic event in one's life. Long term addiction to alcohol can cause serious brain damage: distortion of neurochemical system in the brain, heart diseases, nutritional deficiencies, and psychiatric symptoms.