cardiac muscle 1. Animal victims of the blue ringed octopus are often fully cons
ID: 3476285 • Letter: C
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cardiac muscle
1. Animal victims of the blue ringed octopus are often fully conscious and paralyzed as the octopus consumes them, because the venom blocks voltage-gated sodium channel:s causing paralysis of skeletal muscle. This means that their brain and heart are still functioning despite the fact the peripheral nervous system is failing to fire action potentials a) Explain why your heart would continue to beat despite being bitten by a blue ringed octopus. (2 pts) b) After biting you and injecting you with venom, the octopus realizes that you are too big to eat, and slimes away. Assuming that you are not bleeding from the bite, what will cause your heart and brain to stop functioning after a number of minutes? Be very specific and think about what cells need to function! (2 pts) c) A surfer comes along almost immediately, before your heart and brain stop functioning and notices the blue-ringed octopus crawling away. So despite the fact that you can't talk, he cleverly deduces the cause of your predicament. What life-saving measures can the surfer administer to you? (2 pts)Explanation / Answer
1) Blue ringed octopus contains toxin called tetrodotoxin. These tetrodotoxin blocks sodium channels in the cell membrane. This blocks propogation of nerve impulses in peripheral nervous system and causes flaccid paralysis of voluntary muscles. Paralysis of diaphragm causes respiratory failure.
a) But, the heart and brain will continue to beat for few minutes even after being bitten by blue ringed octopus. This is because the tetrodotoxin does not cross blood brain barrier.
b) After some time, heart and brain will stop functioning due to lack of oxygen. This lack of oxygen is caused by respiratory failure.
c) The best life saving measure for person bitten by blue ringed octopus is artificial respiration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
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