Write a paragraph of 3-5 sentences answering the following questions. Your respo

Question

Write a paragraph of 3-5 sentences answering the following questions. Your response should first answer the question and then go onto state physiological interpretation's behind your answer. Paragraphs that demonstrate complete and thorough reasoning will receive full points.

You discover a drug that prevents voltage-gated Na+ channel inactivation gates from opening when they are closed but has no effect on inactivation gates when they are open. What would happen to the action potential in a neuron exposed to this drug? Explain your answer. Assume the neuron is at resting membrane potential (e.g., -70 mV) at the time it is exposed to the drug.

Explanation / Answer

The answer to this question is that no changes will occur in the membrane potential of the cell.Since at resting phase, the inactivation gates of Na+ channels are already in open condition.Therefore, no effects of the drug is seen on the Na+ gates and the membrane is polarized whereas the membrane potential is -70mV.

At rising phase,the inactivation gates of Na+ channels remain open therefore depolarization of membrane takes place.

Whereas at falling phase only, the inactivation gates of Na+ channels are closed and also the drug will prevent voltage-gated Na+ channels to open but this will not cause the delayig of the After-hyperpolarization of the membrane and also will not change the action potential of the membrane

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