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The Effects Of Alcohol On The Heart Rate Of Daphnia Magna

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ABSTRACT
This report presents the physiological changes in the heart rate of a fresh water crustacean Daphnia magna when exposed to caffeine and alcohol. Different Daphnia magnas were placed in a depression slide containing fresh water and later exposed to solutions of caffeine and alcohol. Each Daphnia magna had different responses. These data suggest there is an increase in heart rate when a Daphnia magna is exposed to caffeine and a decrease in heart rate when it is in a solution of alcohol.

LAB REPORT
Title: Physiological Changes in the Heart Rate of Daphnia magna When Exposed to Stimulants (Caffeine and Alcohol).

Prepared for: Professor Samantha Snavely
By: Carolyn Omar Iduh
June 27, 2015

Introduction The inverse effects between the consumption of stimulant like caffeine and depressant like alcohol has been well established over the years. Alcohol has a paradoxical effect that makes it first appear as a stimulant (American heart association, 2015). The two faced nature is due to ethanol the most active ingredient in alcohol. Alcohol slows down the nervous system by acting on the brain’s inhibitory neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid. Studies have shown Bradycardia (slow or decreased heart rate) in people who consume too much alcohol (ehealthMe, 2015). Drinking alcohol can completely alter a person’s concentration, mood, and coordination (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2013). Too much consumption of alcohol could

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