You are testing the effects of drugs on a somatic neuron, Adding epinephrine to
ID: 86159 • Letter: Y
Question
You are testing the effects of drugs on a somatic neuron, Adding epinephrine to the dendrites generates an EPSP (via influx of calcium ions), leading to action potential, and ACh release at the axon terminal. Describe the effect in each of the following cases on the neurons (i.e.- EPSP, AP, NT release, contraction)? (a) What is the effect of adding a drug that blocks voltage-gated Ca^2+-channels upon stimulation with epinephrine? (b) What kind of drug would give you EPSP, No AP, and No ACh release when stimulating with epinephrine? In other words, what could the drug block?Explanation / Answer
a) a drug that blocks voltage gated Ca2+ channels will prevent influx of calcium ions. Therefore there will not be any EPSP ( excitatory post synaptic potential). The vesicles which contain acetylcholine will not fuse and release the neurotransmitter therefore the impulse will not be transmitted. AP=0, no muscle contraction.
b) if we give a drug which blocks the receptor for calcium ions on the synaptic vesicles containing acetylcholine and hence prevent their fusion with the presynaptic membrane, subsequently releasing acetylcholine into.the synaptic cleft and allowing nerve impulse contraction, then there will be no AP despite positive EPSP.
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.