Download Alcohol

How Alcohol Works
DIRECTIONS:
1. DRAW each step on a different paper.
2. LABEL the underlined parts for each step.
3. USE titles to introduce the drug and related neurotransmitter(s) and for transitions between normal
function and when taking the drug.
4. NARRATE each drawing in Photo Story by reading the appropriate step. Practice saying the terms first!!
Normal Function of the Neurotransmitters GABA and Glutamate…
1. Vesicles in the sending neuron are filled with the neurotransmitter called GABA. GABA plays an important role in
stopping or slowing down nerve signal conduction.
2. Other vesicles in the sending neuron are filled with the neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate plays an
important role in speeding up nerve signal conduction.
3. There are 5 GABA receptors and 5 glutamate receptors on the receiving neuron that receive signal from each
neurotransmitter.
4. There are 5 GABA recycling receptors and 5 glutamate recycling receptors on the synapse of the sending neuron
that picks each up after they do their job.
5. GABA is released from the vesicles into the synaptic gap.
6. GABA travels across the synaptic gap and fits with the GABA receptors on the receiving neuron which slows
down or stops signal conduction.
7. GABA disconnects from the GABA receptors and is recycled into the sending neuron through the recycling
receptors.
8. Vesicles reform.
9. At other times, glutamate is released from the vesicles into the synaptic gap.
10. Glutamate travels across the synaptic gap and fits with the glutamate receptors on the receiving neuron which
speeds up signal conduction.
11. Glutamate disconnects from the glutamate receptors and is recycled into the sending neuron through the
recycling receptors.
12. Vesicles reform.
The person drinks alcohol…
13. Alcohol enters the synaptic gap.
14. Alcohol binds to the side of the GABA receptors.
15. GABA is released from the vesicles.
16. GABA binds to the GABA receptors but the presence of alcohol intensifies the effects - slowing down signal
conduction even more than normal.
17. Alcohol also binds to glutamate receptors.
18. Glutamate is released from the vesicles.
19. Glutamate builds up in the synaptic gap because alcohol is blocking the glutamate receptors. So glutamate can’t
speed up signal conduction.