You decide to run an experiment in the lab in which you stimulate a neuron two t

Question

You decide to run an experiment in the lab in which you stimulate a neuron two times. If you wait 10 ms between the two stimulations, you can record normal action potentials each time.

A. If you only wait 2 ms between stimuli, you are unable to record a second action potential using the same stimulus that caused the first action potential. To remedy this, you apply a larger stimulus to the neuron and are once again able to record action potentials. Name and explain this phenomenon.

B. If you switch to a 1 ms interval between stimuli, even increasing the amplitude of the second stimulus does not elicit an action potential. Why is this the case?

While your back is turned, another lab member walks by and accidentally spills an unknown solution into your prep. Consequently, you are only able to record a single action potential that looks like (B) below. Describe the effect of the unknown substance and name one possible mechanism by which it might be acting.

Explanation / Answer

Summation is the increase in the force of contraction with increase in the stimulus .A is the summation in which impulse is increased to show the contraction. B sustained contractions due to repeated stimuli results in tetanus if a ringer solution is accidentally poured on the experimental muscle the muscle gets hydratesand maintains the contraction of the muscle to the electrical impulse as it contains sodium chloride, sodium lactate and calcium chloride to maintain the muscle activity

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