application question 13 -Latrotoxin

 Look back over the responses from your classmates in the preceding discussion.  If you are satisfied with your original response to this question, simply copy and paste that response here!  If you wish to edit your original response based on what you saw in the discussion, make those changes before submitting.

Black Widow SpiderLatrotoxin is a compound produced by spiders in the genus Latrodectus (such as black widow spiders). Latrotoxin creates tiny holes in cell membranes at axon terminals that allow small hydrophilic particles to pass through the membrane.  Consider the above information and what we have learned thus far about activities in the neuromuscular junction.

What impacts would latrotoxin have on your muscles?

Discuss ACh, sodium, and calcium in your explanation.

 

             Sodium ions play a important role in muscle cell depolarization. Calcium ions are essential for muscle contraction. During normal muscle contraction, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to flow into the muscle cell.
          Latrotoxin effects affect cell membrane which sodium and calcium currents depolarize the membrane that allow influx of sodium and calcium ions .

• Sodium ions play a critical role in muscle cell depolarization, when increase sodium ions into muscle cells triggers the release of calcium ions.

• Increase calcium ion [Ca2+] ion resulting in increase release ACH.   Binding to Neuronal Receptors disrupt normal neuromuscular junction function.
• Excessive release of acetylcholine (ACH) at the neuromuscular junction,   resulting in increase muscle contraction of skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle.