Nerves_and_synapses_internet_research (1).docx

Al Sadiq Islamic English School, Dubai Grade 10 Biology Internet Research- Synapse Name: …Rukhma Nasir…………Date: …24/10/2016…… Every response has a ‘reaction time’. What does this mean? Reaction time is the interval time between the presentation of a stimulus and the initiation of the muscular response to that stimulus.Reaction time varies according to the stimulus.

Drugs can effect your reaction times. Find examples and describe the effect of stimulants and depressants. Stimulants are drugs that make you feel more alert. Caffeine, found in tea, coffee and chocolate, is one example that in humans make the brain and body more active. Depressants are drugs that inhibit the function of the central nervous system (CNS). These drugs operate by affecting neurons in the CNS, which leads to symptoms such as drowsiness, relaxation, decreased inhibition, anesthesia, sleep, coma, and even death. Many depressants also have the potential to be addictive. While CNS depressants all share an ability to reduce activity in the central nervous system and lower levels of awareness in the brain.

Using what you have found out, explain why drink driving is illegal: Alcohol(depressant) slows down normal brain functions and gives a dowsy feeling so it would be dangerous to let a person intoxicated beyond all belief who is barely within their conscious mind, has lost control, and doesn't exhibit the responsibility to utilize something other than their own vehicle to return home. What is a synapse? Synapse is a junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter. …

Use diagram(s) to show how a synapse works:

How do synapses effect your reaction times? A synapse effects the reaction time because the chemical message takes a while to diffuse along the synaptic cleft. Important information about synapses: Two neurons do not make direct contact. Where they meet, there is a very small gap called a synapse. The signal needs to cross this gap to continue on its journey to, or from, the CNS. This is done by means of chemicals which diffuse across the gap between the two neurons. When a nerve impulse reaches the synapse at the end of a neuron, it cannot pass directly to the next one. Instead, it triggers the neuron to release a chemical neurotransmitter. The neurotransmitter drifts across the gap between the two neurons. On reaching the other side, it fits into a tailor-made receptor on the surface of the target neuron, like a key in a lock. This docking process converts the chemical signal back into an electrical nerve impulse. Pages to explore: Test your reaction times: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/sheep/ Drink driving simulator: http://www.stoppingdistances.org.uk/simulator/Stopping_Distances.html http://athletics.wikia.com/wiki/Reaction_Time http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/synapse.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synapse http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/ocr_gateway/ourselves/3_keeping _in_touch1.shtml The effect of drugs on synapses: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr/brain_mind/nervoussyste mrev1.html