Activity gone bust. (Hands-On Science/Critical Thinking).Just how important is it to keep your brain healthy? See for yourself. Abusing marijuana marijuana or marihuana, drug obtained from the flowering tops, stems, and leaves of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa (see hemp) or C. indica; the latter species can withstand colder climates. can make everyday tasks difficult. THC THC tetrahydrocannabinol. THC n. Tetrahydrocannabinol; a compound that is obtained from cannabis or is made synthetically; it is the primary intoxicant in marijuana and hashish. , the most powerful chemical in marijuana, interferes with normal functioning of the brain. Here are three ways THC can trip you up. 1) It acts on the receptors in the brain that are in charge of the five senses: touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell; 2) THC affects the hippocampus hippocampus fabulous marine creature; half fish, half horse. [Rom. Myth. and Art: Hall, 154] See : Monsters , part of the brain's depot for sorting and forming memories; 3) the chemical interferes with the workings of the cerebellum cerebellum (sĕr'əbĕl`əm), portion of the brain that coordinates movements of voluntary (skeletal) muscles. It contains about half of the brain's neurons, but these particular nerve cells are so small that the cerebellum accounts for , the part of the brain most responsible for coordinating balance. The experiment below simulates how basic functions can become difficult under the influence of marijuana. Try it out! YOU NEED one deck of playing cards playing cards, parts of a set or deck, used in playing various games of chance or skill. The origin of playing cards is unknown, and almost as many theories exist as there are historians of the subject. * very dark sunglasses sunglasses A tinted pair of glasses used to ↓ light arriving at the eye, which are labeled according to the amount of UV light blocked; nonprescription glasses are classified according to use and amount of UV radiation blocked Sunglasses * a radio * a timer paper * a pencil TO DO * Find a flat work space. * Trial 1: Have your partner shuffle a deck of cards and place the deck face down in front of you. Your objective is to sort the hearts and diamonds in to a pile on your left, and the spades and clubs to your right. Have your partner keep time and record how long it took you to finish sorting the entire deck. * Trial 2: You're going to simulate what it would be like if marijuana messed with your eyesight eye·sight n. 1. The faculty of sight; vision. 2. Range of vision; view. . Put on a pair of sunglasses and repeat the exercise in Trial 1. Make sure your partner times you again. * Trial 3: Imagine your hippocampus is under attack. You're getting forgetful. Repeat Trial 2. But this time, sort the hearts and diamonds in to a pile on your right and the spades and clubs in to a pile on your left. Also, have your partner turn on the radio to a station you don't like. Your partner should time you again. * Trial 4: This activity will mimic the effect of a dysfunctional cerebellum, so you'll lose coordination. Repeat Trial 3. For this round, you can only use one hand. And you have to use the one you normally don't use. Lefties, use your right hand, and righties, use your left. Sit on your free hand. Again, make sure your partner is timing you. CONCLUSION Compare the results for each trial. How different are they? Why? How did you feel as the trials progressed? THINK TANK Imagine the card activity as your schoolwork, favorite hobby, or team sport instead. Now look at your performance records. Would you have gotten a bad grade, missed a goal, etc.? Discuss. |
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