Question

When the ions move across the cell membrane, an electrical potential change results. As you are probably aware, nerves trigger muscle movement. When you place your finger on a sharp object (such as a tack), you quickly draw your hand away and develop a sensation of pain. Which types of channels are operating under these conditions to allow nerve conduction and subsequent muscle movement______

Answer 1

Voltage-gated sodium channels and ligand-gated channels are responsible for nerve conduction and muscle movement when touching a sharp object. Action potentials are generated in nerves and transmitted to muscles, where they cause the release of neurotransmitters and subsequent muscle contractions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you touch something sharp like a tack and quickly withdraw your hand, the muscle movement is triggered by nerve conduction facilitated by gated ion channels. Specifically, the channels that operate under these conditions are voltage-gated sodium (Na+) channels and ligand-gated channels. The process begins with the generation of an action potential in nerve cells, which results from the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels allowing Na+ to rush into the cell. This creates a rapid change in membrane potential, initiating neural signals. Once the action potential reaches the synaptic terminal, Ca2+ ions flow into the cell via voltage-gated calcium channels, causing the release of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine (ACh) into the synaptic cleft. These neurotransmitters then bind to ligand-gated channels on the muscle cell's membrane, specifically the motor end plate, triggering the opening of sodium channels and the generation of a new action potential in the muscle fiber, leading to muscle contraction.