Tetrodotoxin blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, and ouabain blocks sodium-potassium pumps. If you added both tetrodotoxin and ouabain to a solution containing neural tissue, what responses would you expect?
A) immediate loss of resting potential
B) immediate loss of action potential with gradual shift of resting potential
C) slow decrease of resting potential and action potential amplitudes
D) No effect; the substances counteract each other.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tetrodotoxin inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels, preventing action potentials from occurring, while ouabain inhibits the sodium-potassium pump, leading to a gradual shift in the resting potential due to the inability to maintain the proper ion gradients.

Tetrodotoxin Blocks Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels, and Ouabain Blocks Sodium-Potassium Pumps