ORGANOPHOSPHATE POISONING

Question 1

What are nerve agents?

Answer 1

Sarin, disrupt normal neurotransmission by inhibiting the enzyme acetyl-cholinesterase, leading to an accumulation of acetyl-choline in the synaptic cleft.

acetyl-cholinesterase breaks down acetyl-choline.

Question 2

What is the role of acetyl-choline?

Answer 2

Acetyl-choline is a neurotransmitter that binds to receptor sites on neurons, causing sodium channels to open and leading to muscle contraction.

Question 3

How do nerve agents inhibit acetyl-choline?

Answer 3

Nerve agents bind to acetyl-cholinesterase, preventing it from breaking down acetyl-choline, resulting in prolonged muscle contraction and potential respiratory failure.

For example, sarin causes severe and continuous muscle contractions, which can be lethal, as observed in experiments on rabbits.

Question 4

What is the function of atropine?

Answer 4

Atropine is an anti-nerve agent used to block acetyl-choline from binding to its receptors, mitigating the effects of nerve agents.

Question 5

How is atropine administered in cases of nerve agent exposure?

Answer 5

counteract the effects of excess acetylcholine, allowing for some restoration of normal muscle function and can be critical for survival.

Question 6

What are the key points regarding nerve agents and atropine?

Answer 6

• Nerve agents like sarin cause constant muscle contractions by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase.
• Atropine serves as a crucial treatment by blocking acetylcholine receptors, helping to manage symptoms of poisoning.