Question

Sanshool is a natural compound found in Sichuan pepper, which is commonly used in making spicy Asian food, and creates a numbing sensation in the mouth. It is known to inhibit a subset of potassium leak channels involved in maintaining the resting membrane potential in sensory neurons. How do you think sanshool affects these sensory neurons?
a. It elevates the resting potential (to less negative values) and makes it easier to excite the neuron.
b. It elevates the resting potential and makes it harder to excite the neuron.
c. It lowers the resting potential and makes it easier to excite the neuron.
d. It lowers the resting potential and makes it harder to excite the neuron.
e. It causes hyperpolarization and decreases the spontaneous firing of the neuron.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is option a.

Explanation:

Sanschool will prevent potassium channels and are utilized as analgesic, as the normal resting membrane potential is going to get upsurged, that is, from -70mV to -25mV. Due to the inhibition of the K+ channels, it will eventually stimulate the action potential to generate the false sensation of pain, that is, proprioception. This sensation will travel to the brain because of the exciting sensory neurons, in the meantime activation of TRPV1 and TRPA1 takes place.