Question

Discuss how cholinesterase inhibitors affect the physiology of neurons and nerve impulses.

Answer 1

Neurons in our body communicate with the help of synapse

there are 2 type of synpase present - electrical and chemical

In chemical synapse the neurons are communicate eachother by producing a chemical called acetylcholine.

Acetyl choline are released from the presynaptic neuron into the synaptic cleft. --------> acetylcholine is travelled through the synaptic cleft to the post synaptic neuron -----> Bind with the acetylcholine receptor present in the postsynaptic membrane.

The role of cholinesterase in the nerve conduction is , it will help to inactivate the excess acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft into Acetate and choline.This is a normal physiological action of cholinesterase.

when the action potential to the presynaptic neuron stops , the acetycholine release is stopped and the excess acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft is disintegrated which will result in the completion of the nerve conduction

When this process is inhibited by a cholinesterase inhibitor , tehre will excess amount of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft even though there is no stimuli. this excess amount of aceylcholine will bind with the acetylcholine receptor present on th post synaptic neuron and causes continuous depolarization.

if this is happening in the synapsis of teh neuromuscular junction, it will lead to muscle twitching ,respiratory muscle paralysis , convulsion and even lead to death.