Question

Hi, just need some help/guide to do this correctly and not wrong. thank you

A virus has been going around through Kentucky, causing neurological symptoms of numbness. You know that blood Na*, K and Cat+ levels are normal (140, 5, 9 mequivalents per liter, respectively) You are researchers focused on understanding how the virus is affecting neurons. You have been able to infect rats with the virus, and they also appear to experience numbness, as indicated by their lack of response to touch. First, how could you test whether the virus was affecting just touch receptors (such as those pictured in Cogbooks fig. 7.15 in module 2.5, Somatic Sensation), vs. more generalized parts of the brain, say the ascending tracts that carry the touch information, or the brain? Second, you are able to create an in vitro preparation of the sensory neuron/touch receptors for the rat. Describe experiments that would test the hypothesis that the virus is blocking either Na or K channels in the sensory neuron. Hint: Compare the electrophysiological responses of the somatic sensory cells of vi graded potentials and then increase action potential frequency not-infected rats. Assume that, in response to touch, healthy touch receptor cells exhibit depolarizing rus-infected and

Answer 1

A)

• Virus affects the Na⁺ / Ca²⁺ channels .
• Na⁺ / Ca²⁺ channel causes depolarisation of the membrane causing neurotransmitters to be released .
• This release in the neurotransmitters activates pain or respective effect.
• So , a virus affects these Na⁺ / Ca²⁺ channels causes leaky channels . These leaky channels are unable to cause depolarisation.
• Thus , neurotransmitters are unable to be produce because the channels are unable to cause action potential.

B)

• Measuring the amount of neurotranmsittersreleased is one of the way to detect the activity of the rat brain.
• The methods used are HPLC coupled with electro detection and micro dialysis.
• Fast scan cyclo voltametry is also used to quantify the neurotransmitters.
• HPLC - mass spectrometry can also be used to detect the different types of neurotransmitters in the brain.