Q7TYU
Question
Ouabain, a plant substance used in some cultures topoison hunting arrows disables the sodium-potassium pump.What change in the resting potential would you expect to seeif you treated a neuron with ouabain? Explain.
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedThe neuron is the part of the nervous system that is important to transmit signals in the body. If the neuron is treated with ouabain, the sodium-potassium pump of the neuron will get deactivated. This can result in the reduction of resting potential.
Ouabain is a toxic substance derived from plants used as arrow poison (poison used in arrowheads for hunting and warfare). In lower concentrations, it can also be used to treat hypotension and arrhythmias. It deactivates sodium-potassium ion pumps and can be harmful to living organisms in high doses.
Neurons are the basic unit of the nervous system that work by transmitting neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the body. Neurotransmitters are released by the change in concentration of sodium and potassium around the neuron.
The special pump in neurons maintains this concentration called the sodium-potassium pump.
The sodium-potassium pump maintains the concentration of sodium and potassium around the neuron. These pumps transport potassium inside the cell and sodium outside the cell to maintain resting membrane potential.
Ouabain acts on the neuron and deactivates the sodium-potassium pump. Deactivation of this pump prevents the neuron from maintaining the stable sodium and potassium concentration around the neuron, reducing the resting membrane potential.