Q2CC
Question
Some pesticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. Explain how these toxins would affect EPSPs produced by acetylcholine.
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedToxins that inhibit the action of acetylcholinesterase enzyme would result in increased duration of the EPSPs generated by the acetylcholine neurotransmitter. It is because,without acetylcholinesterase, the acetylcholine molecules would last for a longer period in the synaptic cleft.
The messages or signals are transmitted across the body through the neuronal cells of the nervous system, and these messages are transmitted as electrical signals. The term action potential is used to describe the electrical form of messages transmitted across the neuron’s axonal fiber.
When transmitted and generated at the postsynaptic end, these action potentials are denoted as the postsynaptic potential.
There are typically two types of postsynaptic potential: IPSP (inhibitory postsynaptic potential), and EPSP (excitatory postsynaptic potential).
The IPSP is a kind of postsynaptic potential which decreases the chance of producing action potential within the postsynaptic neuron. In contrast, the EPSP enhances the chance of action potential generation at the postsynaptic end.
Acetylcholine is one of the most common neurotransmitters, generatingEPSPs after binding with ion-gated receptors. The enzymatic molecule of acetylcholinesterase degrades acetylcholine and prevents prolonged production of EPSP.
If the toxins present within the pesticide inhibits acetylcholinesterase's functioning, it will inhibit the degradation of acetylcholine molecules at the synaptic cleft. Consequently, the duration of the EPSPs generated by the response of acetylcholine would be prolonged.