Vlad has requested that for this week we work on the science section of the ACT, in order to increase his grade on the test to be given this weekend. We worked on graph interpretation of science facts and experiments, ranging from chemical facts to biological and physical. Analysis of the questions and deciding how to best answer the question based on the graph material or the pre-question information was the main objective.

The sensory cortex area of the brain was studied in regards to the varied areas of sensory reception which are directed to the main sensory cortex region and the secondary sensory regions. That a multitude of sensations, to describe the feel of a snowball are integrated and refined by these regions. Receptors of touch, temperature, shape, size, and feel are received by all these receptors from different fingers, and the picture of a snowball becomes clear in the mind. A shorts video helped to reinforce this.

The goals of anesthesia, along with their definitions and explanations was presented. these included items like amnesia, analgesia, sensory and motor suppression. The order of affect of local anesthesia was then discussed: pain sensation suppression, temperature sensation, touch and pressure suppression. A discussion of temperature receptors for hot and cold was followed by the design of an experiment to be done next week.

The definition of anesthesia and the the function of anesthesia to produce analgesia, paralysis, amnesia, and loss of consciousness was discussed. The categories of anesthesia including general, sedation, local, and nerve block was presented with examples of the use for each. The history of anesthesia beginning with use of alcohol and the opium poppy in 3400 BCE, along with cocaine, ether and nitrous oxide was shown, along with the structural formula of the most prevalent opiates, morphine and codeine.

The structure and action of the neurotransmitter serotonin's action within the brain and body were examined. The affect on mood and "happiness" was discussed. The structure of some common serotonin reuptake inhibitors was looked at in relation to how they would block the effect of serotonin reuptake and allow the action of the neurotransmitter to be prolonged. A brief explanation of the chemistry of the molecule, looking at its ring structure, and comparing it to the inhibitor blockers gave a good picture of how the drug might work.

Discuss the chemical structure and endogenous production of serotonin. Serotonin has a popular image as a contributor to feelings of well being and happiness, modulating cognition, reward, learning,and memory. The action of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors will be briefly discussed and their action based on their chemical structure shown.

The physiology of the neurotransmitter dopamine was discussed. Its function in some endocrine systems (adrenal) was listed, but the majority of the time was spent in the action within the brain. The function in the reward system was stressed, and how schizophrenia is affected by it. The euphoria produced by dopamine, and how certain drugs, like cocaine, affect the dopamine-pleasure response. The increase in dopamine receptors caused by increased secretion, leading to tolerance to dopamine producing chemicals and the requirement for more drug was presented.

The structure and physiological functioning of acetylcholine (ACH) was examined and discussed after reading a outline on acetylcholine. Its function as a neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, the effects on muscles when the ACH stimulates the muscle fibers... Drugs which act as agonists and antagonists to ACH and their effect on the systems in small and large doses... The different responses caused by binding to the varied receptors, and how venoms and poisons will affect the system... The addictive qualities of nicotine due to binding to nicotinic receptors and the toxic affects of agonists by binding to muscarine type receptors... The need for the production of esterase enzymes to metabolize the neurotransmitters to halt the responses was examined.

A review of the nervous system involving:the composition of a nerve, the anatomy of the neuron, the physiology of the nerve impulse, the synapse, neurotransmitters, the response by muscles and/or glands. Agonist and antagonist drug response as well as esterase activity within the synaptic gap and the differences in response caused by different receptor types was discussed. This will now lead into the effects of different drug categories on the nervous system, starting with anesthesia.

Continuing with the main anatomical divisions of human brain, their locations in the brain, and the general function of each major division. The structure of the nerve cells in the brain and the production of different neurotransmitters, which affect various areas and bring about specific responses is discussed. The transmitter-receptor complex is shown to help comprehend the specificity of the response.