unit 6: drugs and toxicology

• Explain the steps of neurotransmission

  neurotransmitters first get released from the axon terminal, then they go to the synapse and release small neurotransmitter filled vesicles into the synapse. Then the neurotransmitters move across the gap toward neighboring cells which contain receptors for the neurotransmitters to bind and triggered changes in the cells.
• What is the fastest way to get a drug into the system and why is digestion the slowest?

  The fastest is an intravenous or intramuscular injection it is the fastest because it directly enters the bloodstream. Digestion is the slowest, because it has

  to be absorbed through the intestines, and then into the bloodstream.
• What types of jobs require preemployment drug testing?

  Custom agents, law-enforcement, and federal government jobs
• Why is hair not commonly used in drug tests?

  hair can show a history of drugs over a long period of time, but is not conclusive for drugs in the system in the present
• What is vitreous humor? Why is it used in toxicology?

  The eye it is used in toxicology to detect drug and alcohol levels in the body after death, because it is less affected by postmortem changes
• What types of specimens are tested for drugs?

  heart blood, venous blood, urine, blood clot, muscle, liver, kidney, bile, hair, CSF, maggots, vitreous humor
• define lethal dose (LD50)


  dose of substance that'll kill half the test population. expressed as milligrams of substance over kilograms of bodyweight
• What are the factors that affect toxicity of a substance?

  Postmortem, drug testing, workplace drug testing investigation of contraband materials
• What are three areas that a forensic toxicologist works in

  Environmental, consumer, medical
• What is Rf and how is it used to compare substances?

  Retention factor = the number that represents how far a component travels in a particular solvent
• What is the stationary and mobile phase of chromatography?

  The mixture is dissolved in a fluid known as the mobile phase and the components of the mixture are separated from the mixture as they pass though the stationary phase.
• What is chromatography and what are the types?

  chromatography separates mixtures into their individual components

  
  

  - Paper, thin layer, chromatography, gas chromatography
• What are the five basic presumptive test for drugs? What do they test for?

  - marquis: turns purple in the presence of opium, turns orange brown in the presence of amphetamines

  - dillie-koppanyi: turn Violet blue with barbiturates

  - duquenois-levine: turns purple with marijuana

  - van urk: turns blue purple with LSD

  - scott: turns blue with cocaine
• what is the difference between a screening and a confirmatory test?

  screening test our field tests that identify if drugs are present, confirmatory test conclude what type of drugs are being used
• What are the three psychophysical test for alcohol and explain the process of each

  - horizontal gaze nystagmus: follow a pen/small light, tracking left to right with one's eyes. In general, wavering at 45° indicates 0.10 BAC.

  - Nine step walk and turn: comprehend and execute two or more simple instructions at one time

  - One leg stand: maintain balance, comprehend and execute to a more simple instructions at one time
• What is the legal limit of BAC?

  .08%
• What is the equation to calculate a persons BAC

  - Male: 0.071 (ounces) (percent alcohol) divided by bodyweight

  - Female: 0.085 (ounces)(percent alcohol), divided by bodyweight
• What are the factors that affect blood alcohol content?

  Bodyweight, number of beverages, consumed, alcoholic content, time put between consumption
• What is an anabolic steroid? Why do people use them?

  man-made substances to male, sex, hormones. Athletes use them to enhance performance, and increase appearance
• What is the function of a stimulant gives some examples

  Increase alertness and physical activity, usually counter effects, sleeping pills. Examples include amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine and meth.
• What is the function of a depressant gives some examples

  induce, sleep, relieve stress, and all anxiety primarily produced legally examples include alcohol, barbiturates, Rohypnol, GHB, and solvent sniffing
• What is a hallucinogen give some examples

  affect a persons, perceptions, sensations, thinking, self-awareness and emotions. Examples include marijuana, LSD, PPP, ecstasy, and mushrooms.
• What is the function of a narcotic gives some examples

  relieve pain by excreting a depressant that slows the central nervous system examples include morphine, Vicodin, Demerol, and heroin
• What is the difference between a schedule one and a schedule five drug and give examples of each

  - schedule one: high . Examples include heroin, and LSD.

  - Schedule five: low potential for abuse. Medical uses accepted. Examples include cough medication's, and Lyrica.
• What is physical dependence and what are some drugs that have a high physical dependence

  drugs that are capable of producing physical changes that encourage their continued use. Once a user of stains from a drug with a physical, dependence withdrawal sickness occurs, examples include alcohol, heroin, and barbiturates.
• What is psychological dependence and what are drugs that have a high psychological dependence

  drugs used to seek relief from stressful situations. Examples include alcohol, heroin, and cocaine.
• What is toxicology?

  Study of substances that can harm a person
• Define drug

  Natural/synthetic substances used to produce a physiological/psychological effect
• What are the four factors of blood pressure and what are the effects of each?

  - Heart rate: increased heart rate equals increased blood pressure

  - Blood volume: more blood equals higher blood pressure

  - Resistance: size of blood vessels-> narrower equals high blood pressure

  - Viscosity: thickness of blood=> thicker equals higher blood pressure
• What is the average blood pressure for adults?

  120/80 mm Hg
• What is the average blood pressure for newborns?

  65/4 1 mmHg
• three types of blood vessels, and the functions of each

  - arteries: transport blood away from the heart

  - Veins: transport blood to the heart

  - Capillaries: arteries and veins, and serve to exchange, oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between the blood and surrounding tissue
• Describe the parts of a heartbeat

  - systole: when the heart contracts to push blood out

  - diastole: when the heart expands to fill the chambers with blood