Distinction assignment from BTEC Applied Science Unit 6- Investigative project. Project was on effect of stimulants on reaction time. Assignment includes background information on the nervous system and reflexes, methods to test reaction time.Project proposal includes hypothesis, aim of investigati...
Background information
The nervous system is made up of the brain, spine and
all the nerves in your body. Our nervous system sends
electrical signals around the body using neurons. These
electrical signals cause bodily movements. There are
different types of neurons which have different
functions. Neurons are long in shape which helps to
allow impulses to travel longer distances. Neurons are
surrounded by a myelin sheath which insulates the
axon, speeding up the movement of impulses. The function of sensory neurons is to carry
signals from the peripheral region to the CNS. The function of relay neurons is to carry signals
around the CNS, and the function of motor neurons is to carry the signals from the CNS to the
muscles. Receptors are specialised cells, and they detect a change in stimulus. There are three
stages to a nervous response:
1. A change in the environment (stimulus)
2. Receptor cells then detect this change
3. A response occurs from the effector which is either a muscle or a gland.
Stimulants are drugs that increase the speed of which
messages are transferred around the body. This means
that stimulants will increase your reaction time and
make you more energetic. Your reaction time is how
quickly you respond to a stimulus. Nicotine, caffeine and
amphetamines are all examples of stimulants. Reflexes
are actions that your body does. These actions are
involuntary and happen as a response. Blinking when
something comes close to your eyes is a reflex as it happens automatically. Reflexes are
important as they protect your body from harm.
Stages in which a reflex occurs:
1. Stimulus heat from the candle
2. Temperature receptors in the skin detect the heat
3. Sensory neurons send nerve impulses to the spinal cord
4. Relay neurons send the impulses across the spinal cord
5. Motor neuron sends the impulse from the CNS to the muscle
6. Effector contracts which cause a response
7. The response is the hand moving quickly away from the flame.
, Stimulants are drugs that increase the speed of which messages are transferred around the
body. This means that stimulants will increase your reaction time and make you more
energetic. Nicotine, caffeine and amphetamines are all examples of stimulants.
The topic of this report is stimulants and their effect on reaction time and the nervous system.
The reason why this is being conducted is because over the years there has been an increase in
the use of stimulants, and there is not enough research done on this.
There are many other factors which have an effect on reaction time. Gender and age both have
an effect on reaction time. A study was done by the ‘IOSR Journal of pharmacy’, where 100
medical students (50 boys and 50 girls) were tested on their visual reaction time using different
coloured lights (Dr. Ritesh M. Karia et al, 2023.) From the results obtained, it showed that ‘the
boys had less visual reaction time compared to the girls.’ Further research showed that
‘different sex steroids during the menstrual cycle influence the speed of neuronal signals.’
Information from the ‘University of Rochester Medical Center’ states that reaction time tends
to decrease with age as the brain loses motor control cells over time. In some cases, these
effects are reversed as people age, however the effects of ageing are different for everyone.
Staying physically active will help slow down and could reverse the slowing down of reaction
time.
Methods:
The ruler drop test is a test that measures reaction time. It requires a ruler, either 30cm or 1
meter and an extra person who will be holding the ruler. The way this test works is someone
holds the ruler above your head with their fingers, and then drops it at a random time. The
other person will then catch it as quick as they can, using their index finger and thumb. The
person who dropped the ruler then reads measurements on the ruler. The measurement read
will be from the bottom of the ruler to the top of the hand that caught the ruler. These results
will show how good your reaction time is: the shorter the measurement, the quicker the
reaction time. A study was done by ‘Brianmac sports coach’ where participants aged 16 to 19
carried out the ruler drop test (Davis, B. et al, 2000.) The results showed that measurements
below 28cm were classed as poor, between 20.4 and 28cm were classed as below average, 15.9
to 20.4cm were classed as average, 7.5 to 15.9cm were classed as above average, and less than
7.5cm were classed as excellent. A very good reaction time would have a measurement of less
than 7.5cm. This test is very reliable if it is conducted correctly. This is a good test to measure
reaction time as it is very easy to carry out and does not require any technical equipment.
However, one disadvantage of this method is that it is subject to human error which will affect
results. An example of human error could be the person dropping it might not drop it from the
same distance for each test. Another example is that the person reading the ruler might read a
different measurement to another person. In conclusion, the ruler drop test is a very good test
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