Homework: Drug Webquest

Task 1: Caffeine

1. What purpose does caffeine serve for the living plant containing it?

It acts as a natural pesticide.

2. Caffeine acts on the central nervous system as what class of drug?

Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant.

3. List five other names for caffeine.

Mateine, Guaranine, Trimethylxanthine, Methyltheobromine, Theine.

4. What is the world's primary source of caffeine?

The world's primary source of caffeine is the coffee bean.

5. Why does dark roast coffee have less caffeine than lighter roasts?

If you are buying a cup of coffee and the coffee is measured by weight then dark roast will have slightly more caffeine. BUT if you buy a cup of coffee and it is measured by volume then light roast will be higher in caffeine because you will have more coffee grounds.

6. How much chocolate would you have to eat to get the same amount of caffeine found in two cups of regular coffee?

You would have to eat about 20 chocolate bars to get the same amount of caffeine that two cups of coffee has. 1 chocolate bar has 10mg of caffeine and 1 cup of coffee has 100mg of caffeine.

7. What happens when caffeine is used in combination with other medicines?

It depends on what type of medicine that you are combining the caffeine with. But if it comes down to it the effects can be tragic. Like Heart failure or heart attacks.

8. How fast is caffeine absorbed by the body?

Caffeine is absorbed by the stomach and small intestine within 45 minutes of your first drink. After it is absorbed then it is distributed throughout all the tissue in your body.

One of the metabolic products of caffeine is theobromine what are the two main effects of  theobromine in the body?

The two main effects that theobromine has on the body are that it Dilates your blood vessels and increases your urine volume.

9. What is the minimum lethal dose of caffeine for a human?

The lethal dose of caffeine in a human depends on the weight and height of the person. Also it depends on your Sensitivity. But the estimated amount is about 200mg per kilo of body mass.

10. What are the symptoms of caffeine intoxication?

Symptoms include restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushing of the face, Peeing a lot, muscle twitching, Talking a lot, irritability, rapid heart beat, much larger overdoses include, depression, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, and psychosis

11. Why does a high usage of caffeine lead to peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease?

Because caffeine increases the production of stomach acid.

12. One of the "withdrawal" symptoms from caffeine is a headache. What causes this headache?

stopping daily caffeine consumption produces changes in cerebral blood flow velocity that are related to the caffeine withdrawal symptoms of headache.

13. What are the symptoms of extreme cases of caffeine withdrawal?

Moderate to severe headache, feel depressed, feel sleepy, mood instability, difficulty concentrating, flu symptoms that include nausea or vomiting, muscle pain and stiffness.

14. Why is benzene no longer used to extract caffeine from plants?

Benzene was used for years but for reasons of safety, environmental impact, cost and flavor, it has been superseded.

Task 2: Nicotine

Nicotine is found in the nightshade family of plants. Name two plants in this family.

Alkaloid and Solanaceae.

Why is nicotine used in many insecticides?

It functions as an antiherbivorechemical with particular specificity to insects.

In low doses, nicotine acts like what class of drug?

Stimulants.

In high doses, nicotine acts like what class of drug?

Sedatives.

Nicotine is a carcinogen, but it does not promote the development of cancer in healthy cells. What does it do?

Instead of creating cancerous cells in healthy cells it may create a more favorable environment for cancer to develop.

What effect does nicotine have on heart rate and blood pressure?

It increases your heart rate and your blood pressure.

How much nicotine is considered a lethal dose for humans?

40 to 60mg is the lethal dose of nicotine in an Adult.

Nicotine is physically addictive. What are its withdrawal symptoms?

Tingling in the hands and feet, sweating, cramps, nausea, headache, sore throats, coughing, irritability.

How long do the withdrawal symptoms last?

Withdrawal may take as long as two months before the symptoms really fade, but it usually shouldn't take longer than sixty days. Some luckier people may only experience these symptoms in the first few days or couple of weeks.

How many seconds after entering the body does nicotine reach the brain?

nicotine reaches the brain within 8 seconds after someone inhales tobacco smoke.

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