Imagine you created a toxin such that when a neuron fired an action potential, the toxin would bind immediately to the sodium-potassium pump at the top of the action potential, but the sodium and potassium channels would still function. what process(es) would be affected? the hyperpolarization phase of an action potential maintaining resting potential maintaining resting potential and returning to resting potential after the hyperpolarization phase of an action potential returning to resting potential after the hyperpolarization phase of an action potential the depolarization phase of an action potential

Maintaining the resting potential as well as coming back to the resting potential once the hyperpolarization stage of the action potential is achieved are two processes that will get affected when the toxin is added.

Further Explanation:

An action potential, according to physiology, takes place when the membrane potential of cell situation abruptly falls and rises. This causes depolarization which then results in depolarization to the adjacent cells. Action potential takes place in many cells of animal cells which involve endocrine cells, muscle cells, and glomus cells.

Action potentials, in the neuron, play an essential function in cell communication by supplying for or with respect to the saltatory conduction. Action potentials are known as nerve impulses in neurons and are generated by a spike train. A neuron which release the action potential is known as fire.

It is accelerated by the special kinds of voltage-gated ion channels which are pierced within the plasma membrane of the cell. These channels slam when the potential is close to the negative resting potential of the cell, however, they abruptly begin to open if the membrane potential elevates to a closely defined threshold voltage. This causes depolarization of the transmembrane potential.

When these channels open, they permit the sodium ions to flow inside and cause a change in the electrochemical gradient that in turn generates an elevation in the membrane potential. This then results in more channels to open and thereby, generating a higher electric current through the cell membrane. The movement of sodium ions inside the cell causes a change in membrane polarity and also inactivates the channels. As these channels close, the sodium ions do not transfer inside the neuron.

The potassium channels are activated and cause an outward flow of the potassium ions. This causes change in electrochemical gradient to the resting stage. After the occurrence of action potential, there is a negative shift which is called afterhyperpolarization. When a toxin is entered into the neuron, it will bind directly to the Na+ K+ pump and may hinder the movement of the ions. This would cause difficulty in maintaining the resting potential. Furthermore, the resting potential after the hyperpolarization would also be affected.

Learn more:

1. Learn more about cellular respiration

2. Learn more about diffusion

3. Learn more about phospholipid bilayer

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology  

Chapter: Membrane Potentials

Keywords:  

Action potential, ions, sodium ions, potassium ions, hyperpolarization, depolarization, neurons, nerve impulse, spike train.