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As you continue your research, you come across a Na/K pump blocker. If the zombies react the same way as humans to this substance, what will be the effect on their muscle activity?

a) Nerve impulses will be blocked at the terminal boutons and it will not be able to propagate inside the muscle fibers, thus causing a form of paralysis
b) Nerve impulses will be blocked at the source and will not be able to travel within the muscle fibers, causing a form of paralysis
c) Nerve impulses will be blocked at the axon and will not be able to propagate inside the muscle fibers, thus causing a form of paralysis
d) None of these answers
e) Nerve impulses will be blocked at the motor end plate and will not be able to propagate into the muscle fibers, causing a form of paralysis

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Blocking the Na/K pump would prevent the maintenance of the ion gradients necessary for nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction, leading to muscle paralysis by inhibiting the propagation of action potentials.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effect of a Na/K pump blocker on muscle activity, specifically in the context of zombies reacting the same as humans would result in muscle paralysis. The Na+/K+ pump is essential for maintaining the resting membrane potential and for resetting the ion gradients after an action potential has occurred in muscle and nerve cells. If this pump is blocked, the gradient of sodium and potassium ions, which is necessary for nerve impulse conduction and muscle contraction, cannot be maintained. This would lead to a failure in the generation or propagation of action potentials in both nerve and muscle cells.

Therefore, in the context of the provided options, the correct response is: (a) Nerve impulses will be blocked at the terminal boutons and it will not be able to propagate inside the muscle fibers, thus causing a form of paralysis. Blocking the action of the Na+/K+ pump will prevent nerve terminals from resetting their ionic gradients, thus inhibiting the propagation of an action potential into the muscle fiber which is necessary for muscle contraction.

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