Synapse basics
What is the gap called between two neurons where signals are transmitted?
What is a synapse?
What enzyme normally breaks down acetylcholine in the synapse?
What is acetylcholinesterase (AChE)?
What happens to muscles when acetylcholine keeps stimulating them?
What is they keep contracting (spasms)?
What happens to glands when acetylcholine overstimulates them?
What is they produce too much saliva, mucus, or sweat?
Name one nerve gas chemical.
What is sarin, VX, or mustard gas?
What is released from the presynaptic neuron to carry a signal across the synapse?
What is acetylcholine (ACh)?
What happens to acetylcholine levels when acetylcholinesterase is blocked?
What is acetylcholine accumulates in the synapse?
Which muscle is most critical and can fail from nerve gas exposure?
How is the heart affected by continuous nerve signaling?
What is abnormal heart rate (bradycardia or arrhythmia)?
What international treaty bans the production and use of nerve gases?
What is the Chemical Weapons Convention?
What is the main function of a synapse in the nervous system?
What is to transmit nerve signals between neurons or to a muscle/gland?
How do nerve gases affect acetylcholinesterase?
What is they inhibit or block it?
What is the term for the type of paralysis caused by continuous muscle contraction?
What is spastic paralysis?
What can happen to the lungs if the diaphragm and smooth muscles are overstimulated?
What is difficulty breathing or respiratory failure?
Are nerve gases fast-acting or slow-acting?
What is fast-acting?
What happens to a signal if acetylcholine is not removed from the synapse?
What is the signal keeps firing/continues stimulating the postsynaptic cell?
Why is it dangerous if acetylcholine builds up at the synapse?
What is it causes continuous stimulation of muscles and organs?
Why does paralysis from nerve gas lead to death if untreated?
What is breathing muscles stop functioning - respiratory failure?
Why is the nervous system described as the body’s “control system” in this context?
What is it controls muscles, organs, and glands, so disruption affects the whole body?
Why are nerve gases considered more dangerous than most other chemical weapons?
What is they attack the nervous system directly, affecting multiple organs quickly?
Name one type of synapse affected by nerve gases.
What is a cholinergic synapse?
Give one example of how overstimulation from acetylcholine can affect the nervous system.
What is muscle paralysis, seizures, or respiratory failure?
Name another type of muscle affected besides skeletal muscles.
What is smooth muscle (in organs like intestines or blood vessels)?
How does overstimulation in the brain contribute to nerve gas symptoms?
What is seizures or loss of consciousness?
How can exposure to nerve gases be treated if caught early?
What is with antidotes like atropine and pralidoxime?