Question

Certain types of snake venom contain α-bungarotoxin, which is a competitive antagonist for nAChR. What happens to the response of the postsynaptic skeletal muscle cell when the venom is present? What would this cause to happen to a person bitten by the snake? What other toxin discussed in the textbook would cause a similar result to the patient by altering the release of ACh rather than interacting with the nAChR itself?

Answer 1

When the venom is present it competitively and irreversibly bind to nACh Receptors of skeletal muscle.so the ACh released from presynaptic neurons to synaptic cleft cannot bind to nACh receptors and initiate ots action. Which leads to blockage of transmission of action potential and the muscle cannot contract. So that muscle is paralyzed.

If a person is bitten by snake containing this toxin,it results in paralysis of skeletal muscles.atlast the paralysis of diaphragm and other respiratory muscle leads to respiratory failure and death.

Botulinum toxin,tetanus toxin,crotoxin,taipoxin,notexin, show Similar action ,but by inhibition of release of acetyl choline from presynaptic neurons.