Ion Channels

Clinical Relevance💡

Tetrodotoxin 

→ blocks voltage gated Na+ channels 

This makes it so that Na+ cannot flood the cells for neuron activation which results in paralysis and lung failure. 

-To remember this, I think of tetris (“tetro-”…”tetris”…I make it work), and that tetris uses blocks… → tetrodotoxin blocks Na+

Similarly, when you get enough “blocks” in a row they fizzle and disappear. If you can track my metaphor, congratulations, but if not, this is exemplary of how the Na+ gradient can no longer generate neuron activation!

Notes

Ion Channels are pore like structures that span the membrane. They allow certain ions to flow through the membrane. This is important because the membrane does not easily allow charged molecules to move through it, so for important processes in the cell that require charge differentiation, these ions allow for quick transport through the membrane.