2. as Mentioned in the Case Description, Tetrodotoxin Is a Molecule That Blocks Voltage-Gated Sodium Ion Channels. A. What Is a Voltage-Gated Sodium Ion Channel? (2 Points) B. What Is the Function of a Voltage-Gated

2. As mentioned in the case description, tetrodotoxin is a molecule that blocks voltage-gated sodium ion channels. a. What is a voltage-gated sodium ion channel? (2 points) b. What is the function of a voltage-gated sodium ion channel? (2 points) 3. When nerve cells are at rest, there is an unequal amount of positive and negative charges on either side of a nerve cell membrane. This charge difference creates an electrical potential. a. Describe how the resting membrane potential (resting potential) is generated. (2 points) 4. The neuron is generating an action potential. a. What is happening to the electrical potential of a neuron when it generates an action

potential? (2 points)

b. What is the function of the action potential in neurons? (2 points) 5. When generating an action potential: a. Describe the role of sodium ions and sodium channels in generating an action potential. (4 points) 6. When exposed to a tetrodotoxin: a. What would happen to a neuron if it was exposed to tetrodotoxin? (2 points) b. What would be the specific effect on the ability of a neuron to communicate? (2 points) 7. Now that you have addressed some of the basic biology of this case: a. Explain why Dr. Westwood experienced numbness after eating the puffer fish meal. (2 points) 8. Paralysis is a term used to describe the loss of muscle function. a. If tetrodotoxin’s effect is on neurons, why did Dr. Westwood experience paralysis? (give 2 reasons) (4 points)