Science of Addiction Webquest
Go to the following website
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/addiction/index.cfm
Read thoroughly as you navigate through this website.
Follow the link, “Natural Reward Pathways Exist in the Brain”
1. Make a rough sketch of a neuron and label it as it is on this page with the 7 labels.
Dendrite
s
Nucleus
Axon Terminals
Cell Body
Axon
Nodes of Ranvier
Myelin Sheath
2. Define Neuron: Neurons are the cells responsible for passing chemical and electrical signals along the
pathways of the brain and Nervous System
Click through the slide show about how “The Reward Pathways Reinforce Behavior”.
3. What is the central job of the reward pathway? driving our feelings of motivation, reward and behavior make
us feel good when we engage in behaviors that are necessary for our survival
4. The release of what chemical in the brain gives you a “little jolt of pleasure”? Dopamine
5. The reward pathway connects two regions of the brain that are responsible
for_behavior_____and__memory________.
Neurons communicate via the synapse
6. Define synapse: Information from one neuron flows to another neuron across a small gap called a synapse
Click the “Back” button and return to the page titled “The New Science of Addiction: Genetics and the Brain”.
Follow the link, “Drugs alter the Brain’s Reward Pathway”.
7. Which part of the brain do drugs cause dramatic changes in? synapses in the brain
8. Explain why drug users develop a “tolerance” reduce the number of dopamine receptors
9. The faster a drug is delivered to the system the _more likely it will become addicting________.
Look at the PET scan of a brain belonging to a previous cocaine user.
10. Do the affects on the brain from cocaine go away very quickly? No, >100 days
Click the “Back” button and return to the page titled “The New Science of Addiction: Genetics and the Brain”.
Follow the link, “Genetics is an Important Factor in Addiction”
11. What are scientists looking for when they look for “addiction genes”? biological differences that may make
someone more or less vulnerable to addiction
12. Explain the difference between vulnerable and inevitable. (According to Dr. Hanson-Listen)Vary
13. Explain what part of addiction is probably determined by genetics. (Listen to Dr. Hanson) Vary
14. The _A1_allele in the dopamine receptor gene __DRD2_ is more common in people addicted to cocaine or
alcohol.
15. Non-smokers are more likely than smokers to carry a protective gene, _CYP2A6_________, which causes them to
feel more nausea and dizziness from smoking.
16. Alcoholism is rare in people with two copies of the __ALDH*2 ___________ gene variation.
Click on “Learn more about using mice to study addiction”.
17. How does selectively breeding mice teach us about genetics of addiction? Addictive behaviors passed on
18. Name 4 other animals that can be used to study genetics of addiction. Chimp, Zebrafish, Fruitfly, Roundworm
Click the “Back” button and return to the page titled “Genetics is an important factor in addiction”.
19. How can drugs be used to help addicts? researchers can focus on one gene product and develop a drug that
modifies its activity