Synthesis Essay On Alcohol

Alcohol in our society is a very common drug. Some people consume it socially and in moderation, while others misuse this drug. Consuming it in moderation can be beneficial, where as misusing it can be harmful. Studies show that 10% of men and 3-5% of women suffer from alcoholism and 5-10% percent of people suffer from drinking problems that are diagnosable. Studies have also shown, females and young adults have increased their consumption of alcohol. Being helpless, by alcohol weakening the memory, adolescents are yet numb to the alcohol effecting motor. Which explains the high number of fatal accidents in young adults. This paper discusses the effect of alcohol/ethanol on the nervous system (acute, chronic, direct and indirect effects of excess alcohol consumption) Although the amount of alcohol reaching the embryo is a big factor; genetics, nutritional, age of mother and time of exposure must be taken into consideration. These factors are just as important as alcohol reaching he embryo is. Exposure of alcohol before birth can result in many syndromes and disorders including Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Practical awareness of alcohol and the rate of metabolism are affected by genetics.

First hypotheses: Alcohol conquers pyramidal cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, which is an important part of the cell for developing memories of events. Second hypotheses: Interruption of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Hippocampal cells signal other hippocampal cells, this signaling produces a large response. Alcohol prevents this cell signaling to one another, locking the activation of NMDA receptor. This process impairs LTP. Third hypotheses: alcohol might stimuli hippocampal functioning, affected by impairing the messages. All three of these hypotheses effects the PNS (Peripheral Nervous