Anesthetics block pain by blocking the transmission of nerve sign...

Question

Anesthetics block pain by blocking the transmission of nerve signals. Which of these three chemicals might work as anesthetics? (Choose all that apply and explain your selections.)
a. a chemical that prevents the opening of voltage-gated Na+ channels in membranes
b. a chemical that inhibits the enzymes that degrade neurotransmitters
c. a chemical that blocks neurotransmitter receptors

Accepted Answer

Okay everyone for this practice problem. We have an anesthetic that blocks the voltage gated sodium channel will result in the inhibition of So an anesthetic blocks the sodium channels and inhibits something. Now recall that the voltage gated sodium channels are embedded within a cell membrane. So if we block them, we're gonna inhibit some sort of cell process. So let's take a look at our possible answer choices. We have a deep polarization. Be re polarization, see hyper polarization and d threshold potential. Now we should recall that all of these are terms or ways to describe an action potential. And so in order for us to recall how these sodium channels are important in an action potential. Let's go ahead and draw out a quick action potential. So along the X. Access we have excuse me why access? We have voltage, it's positive at the top and negative at the bottom. And then along the X axis we have time now sell is at a resting state until stimulus comes along. When a stimulus occurs, deep polarization occurs until it reaches peak. Then re polarization occurs. Now, once re polarization passes the resting state we get hyper polarization. So let's go ahead and label these parts of the action potential. We have the resting state. We have deep polarization, we have re polarization and finally hyper polarization also recall that in a cell there is a threshold potential and deep polarization needs to pass this threshold potential in order for an action potential to occur. So this is our threshold potential. Okay, so to refer again back to our problem, we have an anesthetic blocks the sodium channel, and it inhibits part of this process. Recall that the sodium channels are important in deep polarization. So, during deep polarization, sodium channels open and sodium moves into the cell and this is the only part where sodium moves into the cell during re polarization, potassium movement is important. So if an anesthetic blocks these voltage gated sodium channels, it's going to block or inhibit the beginning of deep polarization and this is our answer. So a deep polarization is our answer. Alright, everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.

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