Question

The deadly nerve gas Sarin irreversibly inhibits Acetylcholinesterase. What effect would Sarin have on muscle contraction?

Short answer

• Sarin prevents acetylcholine from being removed from the synapse, resulting in continuous stimulation of muscle plasma membranes.
• Initially, muscle activity is intense and uncontrolled, but the ion gradients dissipate, so electrical signals cannot be transmitted.
• It causes paralysis and asphyxiation, which results in death.

Step-by-step solution

Step: 1 Acetylcholinesterase is inhibited by sarin gas

• Sarin, tabun, and soman are examples of a type of element with high lipophilicity that can vaporise at room temperature.
• They have phosphorus groups and aggressively bind to acetylcholinesterase, inhibiting it from performing its function.

Step: 2 Sarin's impact on muscular contraction

• By inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, Sarin acts. This protein normally degrades acetylcholine released at synaptic clefts.
• Thenervefibresthatcontrolmuscularcontractionareactivatedbyacetylcholine.
• Muscles won't relax if the neurotransmitter isn't taken out.