A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts for Teachers in the Field of Biological Sciences. University of Washington

Committee Chair
Dr. Kenneth Mackie

Abstract

The effects of cannabinoids, the active ingredients in Cannabis, in producing psychoactive responses appear to be mediated by the CB1 receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor that binds to and is activated by cannabinoids. An understanding of how activation of this receptor by cannabinoids modulates neuronal channels is important to understanding the overall effects of cannabinoids. It will also add to the explanation of how tolerance to the effects of cannabinoids develops. Incorporation of green fluorescent proteins (GFP) and red fluorescent proteins (RFP) as tags with their fluorescence intact into the CB1 receptor protein will enable visual, real-time observations of receptor movement as a result of cannabinoid exposure