Question

The blue-ringed octopus, shown below, utilizes a venom called tetrodotoxin as a defense mechanism Tetrodotoxin binds to sodium channels and blocks the passage of sodium ions. Based on this information, which symptom would most likely occur in an organism exposed to tetrodotoxin?

Answer 1

An organism exposed to tetrodotoxin, which blocks the passage of sodium ions through sodium channels, would most likely experience muscle weakness or paralysis. Sodium ions play a crucial role in generating and propagating electrical signals in nerve cells and muscle cells. By blocking sodium channels, tetrodotoxin disrupts the normal transmission of nerve signals, leading to a loss of muscle control and function. This can result in symptoms such as muscle weakness, paralysis, and difficulty moving.

I hope this helped!

~~~Harsha~~~