NEET Biology question

A student places an isolated neuron in a calcium-free medium, gives the neuron a suprathreshold stimulus, and then performs an assay to test whether neurotransmitter is released into the medium. Which of the following outcomes would you predict?

(A)No neurotransmitter is detected since influx of calcium into the synaptic knob is required for neurotransmitter releaseCorrect
(B)No neurotransmitter is detected since calcium influx is required in order for the neuron to conduct an action potential
(C)Neurotransmitter is detected since calcium is not required for action potential conduction and the initial stimulus was suprathreshold
(D)We cannot predict the outcome without knowing whether the neuron was myelinated or not

Answer: (A)

Solution

Calcium ions are specifically required at the chemical synapse, where their influx into the presynaptic knob triggers the movement and fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane to release

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Question ID VK-117946