Name 1: __________________________________ Name 2:______________________________Period___________
Drugs Webquest
Step 1: Go to this web address http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/
The Science of Addiction: Genetics and the Brain
Click on “Neurons Transmit Messages in the Brain” and fill out the following information.
Neurons are the cells responsible for passing ________________ and _______________
signals along the ________________ of the brain. They come in many ____________ and
___________ enabling them to conduct specialized functions such as
________________________ or controlling our _____________________________.
Draw the 4 shapes of Neurons shown on the left side of the page …
Neurons Communicate Via the Synapse
Information from one __________ flows to another ________ across a small _______ called a
synapse (SIN-aps). At the synapse, ______________ signals are translated into ____________
signals in order to cross the ________. Once on the other side, the signal becomes
_____________ again.
One _____________ neuron can connect to several _____________ neurons, and one
___________ neuron can connect to several ____________ neurons.
Label the Neuron then go back to the home page
and click EXPLORE – Make a Mad, Mad, Mad
Neuron to create your own with Dr. Dendristrein.
The Reward Pathway Reinforces Behavior
Look at the brain under this heading. Read the following description of how the reward pathway gets
us to do certain things. Underline or highlight the important points as you go along. You will be asked to
summarize this.
The brain is divided into several distinct regions that are each responsible for performing different functions. In the center of
the brain sits the reward pathway, which is responsible for driving our feelings of motivation, reward and behavior.
The central job of the reward pathway is to make us feel good when we engage in behaviors that are necessary for our survival
like eating and drinking.
The reward pathway connects to several other important areas of the brain. These connections allow the reward pathway to
gather information about what is happening outside of the body, and to strengthen brain circuits that control desirable
behavior.
Let’s take a closer look at how the reward pathway works. Imagine you haven’t eaten all day and someone gives you a nice big
sandwich. Your five senses gather information from your surroundings and send signals to the brain letting it know that there
is a yummy looking sandwich in front of you.
Stored in another part of your brain is the memory that when you eat a sandwich, you will no longer be hungry and you will
feel good. Based on this information, the brain tells the body to pick up the sandwich and eat it.
When the five senses let the brain know that the body is eating some good tasting food and the stomach is filling up, special
neurons in the reward pathway release the chemical dopamine. The release of dopamine gives you a little jolt of pleasure.
That’s your reward for eating the sandwich.
In addition to making you feel good when you engage in beneficial behavior, the reward pathway is responsible for trying to
make sure you repeat the behavior whenever possible. It does this by connecting to regions of the brain that control memory
and behavior.
When the reward pathway signals brain regions involved in memory, it enables the brain to create the memory that eating food
makes you feel good. This increases the likelihood that you will eat the food again.
When the reward pathway signals the brain’s motor center, it strengthens the wiring for behaviors that help you achieve your
reward. In this case, the behaviors include picking up the sandwich, chewing it up, and swallowing it.
By giving us a jolt of pleasure, the reward pathway works to ensure that we will repeat behaviors which are necessary for
survival.
In 7 sentences or less summarize how the reward pathway system works.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Click on Crossing the Divide and go through the information provided.
What neurotrasmitter (chemical messenger) is used along the reward pathway? ________________
Dopamine in the synaptic cleft (gap between brain cells) locks into what?
Now that you know a little about the brain, go back to the home page under the heading “Drugs
and the Reward Pathway” and click on DRUG USE CHANGES THE BRAIN OVER TIME
Listen to Dr. Glen Hanson “All drugs of abuse activate the ________________ system in the
reward pathway.”
Click on Drugs of Abuse. Use what you find to fill out the information on the following drugs.
Drug Abuse
Alcohol
Name _______________________________
2 street names ______________________ ___________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant Stimulant Hallucinogen
Other
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Cocaine
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant Hallucinogen
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
Other
3. _________________________________
Dissociative Drugs
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant Hallucinogen
Other
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Hallucinogens
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant Hallucinogen
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
Other
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Heroin
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant
Hallucinogen
other
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Inhalants
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant
Hallucinogen
other
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Marijuana
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant
Hallucinogen
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
MDMA/ECSTASY
Name _______________________________
other
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant
Hallucinogen
other
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Methamphetamine (Meth)
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Hallucinogen
other
Nicotine
Name _______________________________
2 street names _______________________
_________________________
How is it taken? ________________________________________________
Is it a: Drepressant
Stimulant
3 physical effects on the body:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
3 dangers associated with taking this drug:
1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________
Hallucinogen
other