1. Define the following phrases and terms associated with the signs and symptoms of Dr. Westwood’s TTX poisoning:
Diaphoresis - The excretion of fluid by the sweat glands of the skin (sweat).
Motor dysfunction - refers to the abnormal or impaired functioning of a muscle, nerve, or center that affects or produces movement.
Paresthesias - an abnormal sensation, typically tingling, caused by damage to peripheral nerves.
Cyanotic - The appearance of a blue or purple coloration of the skin due to the tissues near the skin surface having low oxygen saturation.
Hypoventilation - occurs when ventilation is inadequate to perform needed gas exchange.
Bradycardia – A slower than normal heart rate.
2. As mentioned in the case description, tetrodotoxin…show more content… It is found in the nerve and muscle cells and is used in the rapid electrical signaling. It function creates and propagate the action potential down an axon
3. When nerve cells are at rest, there is an unequal amount of positive and negative charges on either side of a nerve cell membrane. This charge difference creates an electrical potential. Describe how the resting membrane potential (resting potential) is generated.
Resting membrane potential is generated by a greater negative charge ions (K+ Potassium) inside the cell and greater amount of positive charge ions (Na+, sodium outside the cell). The two separating ions difference creates a voltage differences across the membranes. Leak channels in the membranes allow sodium and potassium to diffuse across their gradient. Sodium - potassium pump actively transports more sodium ions out of the cell, and transport potassium pumps into the cell to compensate for the sodium and potassium leak channels. The pumps help maintain the resting membrane potential.
4. What is happening to the electrical potential of a neuron when it generates an action potential? What is the function of the action potential in
