2.A. The purpose of the Ach is to bind to ligand gated sodium channels, which allow the entrance of sodium, which leads to muscle contraction. When the muscle is no longer required to contract, acetyl cholinesterase breaks down the Ach. When Ach is broken down, it unbinds from the ligand gated sodium channel, the channel closes, stopping the entrance of sodium and therefore stopping contraction of the muscles. If acetyl cholinesterase is rendered ineffective, Ach will not be able to unbind, resulting in involuntary muscle contractions. Muscles affected would be the skeletal muscles, the diaphragm and the extrinsic muscles of the eyes. The diaphragm will affect breathing if it cannot contract and relax rhythmically , which is necessary for proper gas exchange. If the muscles in the eyes contract involuntarily, the eyes may cross, creating double vision.
2.B. The poison could be counteracted if a drug was introduced that had a greater affinity to the poison than the acetyl cholinesterase, which will free up the enzyme, allowing it to break down the Ach. Or, if the drug changed the shape of the poison molecule, it would not be capable of binding to the enzyme.
3. The second sound heart sound is the aortic semi lunar valve closing. After this happens the