Throughout the nervous system, the predominant mode of neuron to neuron and neur

Question

Throughout the nervous system, the predominant mode of neuron to neuron and neuron to effector (muscle or gland) transmission involves the conversion of an electrical event in the presynaptic neuron (A.P.) to a chemical event (secretion of neurotransmitter) and then back to an electrical event (A.P.) in the postsynaptic cell. Interference with any step in the sequence has significant effects on nerve and/or effector function.

Botulinum toxin causes paralysis. It binds to presynaptic sites at the motor end plate and prevents the release of neurotransmitter from vesicles.

A) What would happen to resting membrane potential if the sodium-potassium pump stopped working (due to a lack of ATP for example)? Explain.

B) What will happen to resting membrane potential if potassiumsuccinate were injected into the intracellular environment (cytoplasm) of a neuron? Explain

Explanation / Answer

A. IF the sodium-potassium pump stopped working, the resting membrane potential would not be maintained. The sodium-potassium pumps are responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential of the membrane. If the sodium-potassium pump stopped working, the membrane would not have a particular potential. The membrane potential would not be constant and would keep changing. --------------------------------- B. IF potassium succinate was injected into the intracellular environment of a neuron, the inner concentration of K+ ions increases. As K+ ions are usually present in the extracellular fluid, this injection would offset the resting membrane potential. The high percentage of K+ ions in the cytoplasm would induce the sodium potassium pump to push them out. If this pump is not working then the resting membrane potential changes.

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