Year 7 Biology: Drugs, Drug Addiction, Smoking, and Alcohol

Introduction to Drugs, Smoking, and Alcohol

Understanding Drugs

A drug is any substance that, when taken into the body, changes the way it functions. Drugs can be beneficial, like medicines that help treat illnesses, or harmful when misused. They can be classified into several types, including:

• Medicinal Drugs: Prescribed by doctors to treat specific health issues.
• Recreational Drugs: Taken for pleasure or relaxation, which may be illegal or harmful.
• Illegal Drugs: Drugs that are banned by law because of their harmful effects on the body and mind.

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a condition where a person feels a strong need to keep taking a drug, even if it harms them. Addiction affects the brain and can make it hard for people to stop using the drug. Addictive substances can lead to health problems and interfere with daily life.

Smoking

Smoking involves inhaling the smoke of burning tobacco. Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemicals like nicotine, which is addictive, and tar, which damages the lungs. Smoking can cause serious health issues, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a legal drug that affects the central nervous system. Small amounts of alcohol can make people feel relaxed, but drinking too much can impair coordination and judgement. Excessive drinking over time can damage the liver, heart, and brain.

Questions on Drugs, Drug Addiction, Smoking, and Alcohol for Year 7 – Key Stage 3 Biology

Easy Questions

1. What is a drug?
2. Name one type of drug that can be helpful to people.
3. True or False: All drugs are harmful to humans.
4. What is drug addiction?
5. What substance in tobacco makes smoking addictive?
6. What part of the body does smoking mainly affect?
7. True or False: Alcohol is a type of drug.
8. Name one negative effect of smoking on the body.
9. What does ‘illegal drug’ mean?
10. What is the main ingredient in alcoholic drinks?
11. True or False: Alcohol affects the brain.
12. What does the term ‘recreational drug’ mean?
13. Name one reason people might start smoking.
14. Does alcohol have short-term or long-term effects on the body?
15. What does nicotine do to the body?
16. Name one health issue caused by alcohol.
17. True or False: Medicines are a type of drug.
18. What does it mean if someone is ‘addicted’ to a drug?
19. Name one way smoking can harm the heart.
20. True or False: Drug addiction is easy to overcome.

Medium Questions

1. Explain how drugs can be both helpful and harmful.
2. Why do some people become addicted to drugs?
3. Describe one way smoking harms the lungs.
4. What is the difference between medicinal drugs and recreational drugs?
5. How does nicotine affect the brain?
6. Why is alcohol legal, but other drugs are not?
7. Explain why smoking can increase the risk of lung cancer.
8. What effect does alcohol have on coordination?
9. Describe how drug addiction affects daily life.
10. What are the dangers of drinking too much alcohol over a long period?
11. Why might someone feel the need to keep using a drug, even if it’s harmful?
12. How does smoking affect people around the smoker?
13. What are some short-term effects of alcohol on the body?
14. Explain the term ‘withdrawal symptoms’ in drug addiction.
15. How does the body react to nicotine in tobacco?
16. Why might teenagers start experimenting with drugs?
17. Explain how alcohol damages the liver.
18. What does it mean for a drug to be illegal?
19. Why is drug education important for young people?
20. Describe one effect of passive smoking on non-smokers.

Hard Questions

1. How does drug addiction change brain chemistry?
2. Describe the role of dopamine in drug addiction.
3. Explain how smoking can affect both the lungs and heart.
4. How do drugs like alcohol affect the central nervous system?
5. What are some factors that influence a person’s risk of addiction?
6. How does smoking lead to respiratory diseases?
7. What are the long-term effects of heavy alcohol consumption on the brain?
8. Describe how addiction to drugs might affect someone’s relationships.
9. Explain why some people find it harder to quit smoking than others.
10. How does the body’s tolerance to drugs increase over time?
11. Explain why passive smoking is dangerous, even for non-smokers.
12. Describe the process of alcohol metabolism in the liver.
13. What are some social consequences of drug addiction?
14. How do legal and illegal drugs differ in terms of regulation and effects?
15. Explain why young people are at a higher risk of addiction.
16. Describe how alcohol can lead to liver cirrhosis.
17. What is the connection between smoking and heart disease?
18. Explain how addiction can change a person’s behaviour.
19. What are the effects of long-term alcohol use on mental health?
20. Why is it difficult for people to stop using drugs once they are addicted?

Answers with Explanations

Easy Answers

1. A drug is a substance that changes the way the body functions.
2. Medicinal drugs, like antibiotics, help treat illnesses.
3. False. Not all drugs are harmful; some, like medicine, are helpful.
4. Drug addiction is a strong need to keep using a drug.
5. Nicotine makes smoking addictive.
6. Smoking mainly affects the lungs.
7. True. Alcohol is a type of drug.
8. Smoking can damage the lungs and cause cancer.
9. An illegal drug is banned by law because it is harmful.
10. Ethanol is the main ingredient in alcoholic drinks.
11. True. Alcohol affects the brain, changing how it functions.
12. Recreational drugs are taken for pleasure.
13. Some people start smoking to feel more relaxed.
14. Alcohol has both short-term and long-term effects.
15. Nicotine causes addiction by affecting the brain.
16. Alcohol can cause liver disease.
17. True. Medicines are a type of drug used to help people.
18. Someone addicted feels a need to keep using the drug.
19. Smoking can lead to heart disease by damaging blood vessels.
20. False. Drug addiction is difficult to overcome.

Medium Answers

1. Medicinal drugs help treat illnesses, while harmful drugs can damage health.
2. Drugs affect the brain, making people feel they need to keep taking them.
3. Smoking damages the lung tissue, making it hard to breathe.
4. Medicinal drugs treat health problems; recreational drugs are used for pleasure.
5. Nicotine releases chemicals in the brain that make people feel good temporarily.
6. Alcohol is legal due to tradition, while other drugs are restricted due to harm.
7. Chemicals in smoke can damage lung cells and increase cancer risk.
8. Alcohol slows coordination, making it hard to walk straight.
9. Addiction affects daily life by impacting health and social interactions.
10. Long-term drinking can lead to brain and liver damage.
11. Drugs change the brain, causing cravings that are hard to control.
12. People nearby inhale smoke, which can harm their health.
13. Short-term effects of alcohol include dizziness and lack of coordination.
14. Withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant effects when a person stops using a drug.
15. Nicotine raises the heart rate and blood pressure.
16. Teenagers might start using drugs out of curiosity or peer pressure.
17. Alcohol damages liver cells, causing scarring (cirrhosis).
18. Illegal drugs are banned because they are harmful and addictive.
19. Drug education helps young people understand the risks of drugs.
20. Passive smoking can cause breathing problems and illnesses in non-smokers.

Hard Answers

1. Addiction changes brain chemistry, making it harder to stop using drugs.
2. Dopamine is released in the brain, creating a ‘reward’ that leads to addiction.
3. Smoking damages lung tissue and narrows blood vessels, affecting the heart.
4. Alcohol slows down the central nervous system, affecting brain function.
5. Genetics, environment, and age can increase the risk of addiction.
6. Smoking leads to diseases like chronic bronchitis by damaging airways.
7. Long-term alcohol use affects memory and coordination.
8. Addiction may lead to issues with family and friends due to behaviour changes.
9. Genetic factors and support systems can affect one’s ability to quit smoking.
10. With repeated use, the body needs more of a drug for the same effect.
11. Passive smoking exposes non-smokers to harmful chemicals.
12. **Alcohol is broken down by enzymes in the liver.**
13. Drug addiction can lead to social issues like job loss.
14. Illegal drugs are unregulated and often more harmful.
15. Teenagers have developing brains, which increases addiction risks.
16. Alcohol causes scarring of liver tissue, leading to cirrhosis.
17. Smoking raises blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease.
18. Addiction can lead to changes in mood and decision-making.
19. Long-term alcohol use may lead to depression and anxiety.
20. Addiction changes brain chemistry, making it difficult to stop.

These questions and answers provide a comprehensive look at the effects and risks associated with drugs, smoking, and alcohol, tailored for Year 7 students to promote understanding and awareness of these important health topics.