The plant alkaloid strychnine is a poison that occurs at high levels in a partic

Question

The plant alkaloid strychnine is a poison that occurs at high levels in a particular deciduous tree found in India. It is an effective poison for killing rodents and other small vertebrates. Insmall doses, it has been used illegally by athletes as a stimulant. Strychnine is an antagonistof the glycine receptor, which is a ligand-gated chloride channel. Explain the general role of glycine in neuron transmission. How does chloride fit in to this explanation? Explain why strychnine has the effects it has (described above).Your answer must include what is happening at the cellular level (think channels and ions) and you must address both scenarios – rodents and athletes – and why the effects are different.

Explanation / Answer

The Glycine is one of the aminoacid, which act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. It binds on the glycine receptor, a ligand gated chloride channel, which makes the post synaptic membrane more permeable to negatively charged chlorine ions and hyperpolarizes the membrane.

The strychnine is an antagonist of glycine which play an opposing action of glycine. It can bind to the glycine receptor without opening the chloride ion channel, there by preventing the inhibitory action of glycine neurotransmitter. It will activate the motor neurons and spinal hyperexcitability resulting in spastic muscle contraction and death due to asphyxation. This is the way by which strychnine become a poison.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.