Question

A 40-year-old tobacco farmer is seen in the ER with bradycardia, profuse sweating, vomiting, increased salivation, and blurred vision.He was spraying his field with malathion when the hose ruptured and he was covered with the malathion. Which of the following types

of inhibition of enzymes does this poisoning represent?
(A) Competitive
(B) Noncompetitive
(C) Irreversible
(D) Reversible
(E) The drug does not work by inhibiting enzyme activity.

Answer 1

The poisoning described represents irreversible inhibition of enzymes, known as organophosphate poisoning. Organophosphates irreversibly inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine and symptoms such as bradycardia, profuse sweating, vomiting, increased salivation, and blurred vision.

Step-by-step explanation:

The poisoning described in this scenario represents irreversible inhibition of enzymes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms experienced by the tobacco farmer, including bradycardia, profuse sweating, vomiting, increased salivation, and blurred vision, are consistent with the effects of organophosphate poisoning. Organophosphates, such as malathion, are commonly used as insecticides and work by irreversibly inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.

Acetylcholinesterase is responsible for breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is involved in nerve transmission. By inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, organophosphates cause an accumulation of acetylcholine, leading to excessive nerve stimulation and the symptoms described.