Final answer:
Jaleigh's mutation leads to an increased threshold for opening voltage-gated sodium channels, potentially reducing her sensitivity to pain or causing congenital insensitivity to pain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jaleigh has a mutation that affects the voltage-gated sodium channels in her sensory neurons, which are important for transmitting pain information. The mutation increases the threshold needed for these channels to open. Normally, voltage-gated sodium channels open when they reach a certain threshold voltage, allowing Na+ ions to enter the neuron. This influx of Na+ ions initiates an electrical event known as an action potential, which is essential for neuronal communication, including the transmission of pain signals.
With an increased threshold, the neurons require a stronger stimulus to reach the action potential. Therefore, as a result of the mutation, Jaleigh may experience a reduced sensitivity to pain or possibly a condition known as congenital insensitivity to pain, where she might not feel pain at all. This can be compared to the effect of local anesthetics like lidocaine, which are sodium channel blockers that prevent action potentials from occurring in neurons, leading to a numb sensation.