Question

There is a disease that in the nervous system, it shows up as a reduced firing rate in the neurons. What ion or channels could cause this and how?
In the skeletal muscle, the strength of contraction is drastically reduced What ion or protein might be responsible?
In the cardiac muscle, we witness a tendency toward tetanus. The muscle isn’t relaxing sufficiently between contractions. What ion or protein might be responsible?

Answer 1

1. ANSWER: Sodium ion is the reason for reduced firing rate in the neurons. The width of the depolarising component of rhe action potential increases and hence the firing rate of the neurons decreases.

2. ANSWER: The muscle contraction is primarily due to calcium ions. Reduced calcium ion os the reason for the decreased strength of muscle contraction.

3. ANSWER: Hypocalcemia is the reason for tetany. Low ionoised calcium levels in the extracellular fluid kncreases the permeability of soidum ions and hence Increases the length of action potential.