Question 30

(Short Answer)

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is an ionotropic receptor that can be activated by nicotine, a stimulant drug found in cigarettes. Additionally, ?-bungarotoxin, a neurotoxin found in the venom of some snakes, binds preferentially and tightly to the closed conformation of the receptors. Another drug, donepezil, is a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease. If applied at a neuromuscular junction, indicate whether each of the compounds (1) acetylcholine, (2) nicotine, (3) ?-bungarotoxin, and (4) donepezil would enhance (E) or suppress (S) the Ca2+influx in the muscle cells. Your answer would be a four-letter string composed of letters E and S only, e.g. EESS.

Answer

The Ca2+ influx in the muscle cell is sti...

View full Answer