sodium channel
Membrane protein pore
A sodium channel is a protein structure in cell membranes that allows sodium ions to pass through.
These channels are essential for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction—when they open, sodium rushes into the cell, generating the electrical signals that let neurons fire and hearts beat.
Drugs and toxins that block sodium channels can serve as anesthetics or, in the case of pufferfish poison, prove fatal.
Neuron's rapid electrical discharge
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- repolarizationMembrane voltage reset
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- neuronImpulse-conducting cell
excitability · refractory period · nerve impulse · voltage-gated · gating · inactivation · activation · threshold
Abnormal cardiac rhythm
- long QT syndromeDelayed cardiac repolarization disorder
- ventricular fibrillationDeadly heart rhythm disorder
- atrial fibrillationDisorganized cardiac rhythm disorder
- heart blockDisrupted cardiac electrical conduction
tachycardia · bradycardia · sudden cardiac death · ECG · antiarrhythmic
Permanent DNA alteration
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- Dravet syndromeSevere infant-onset seizure disorder
- gain of functionEngineered increase in capability
- familialPertaining to relatives
hereditary · congenital · missense mutation · genetic testing · phenotype
Topical numbing medication
- local anestheticsDrugs blocking sensation locally
- anticonvulsantsSeizure-preventing medications
- phenytoinAnticonvulsant blocking sodium channels
- antiepileptic drugsMedications controlling seizure disorders
Biomolecule's three-dimensional form
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- domainArea of control
- subunit assemblySmaller parts combining together
- C-terminusProtein chain's ending point
action potential
Neuron's rapid electrical discharge
- depolarizationLoss of electrical gradient
- repolarizationMembrane voltage reset
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
neuron · excitability · refractory period · nerve impulse · voltage-gated · gating · inactivation · activation · threshold · propagation
arrhythmia
Abnormal cardiac rhythm
- long QT syndromeDelayed cardiac repolarization disorder
- ventricular fibrillationDeadly heart rhythm disorder
- atrial fibrillationDisorganized cardiac rhythm disorder
heart block · tachycardia · bradycardia · sudden cardiac death · ECG · antiarrhythmic
mutation
Permanent DNA alteration
- epilepsyBrain disorder causing seizures
- Dravet syndromeSevere infant-onset seizure disorder
- gain of functionEngineered increase in capability
familial · hereditary · congenital · missense mutation · genetic testing · phenotype
lidocaine
Topical numbing medication
- local anestheticsDrugs blocking sensation locally
- anticonvulsantsSeizure-preventing medications
- phenytoinAnticonvulsant blocking sodium channels
protein structure
Biomolecule's three-dimensional form
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- domainArea of control
- subunit assemblySmaller parts combining together
- bioelectricityaction potential, depolarization, repolarization, hyperpolarization, axon
- Drug Targetsreceptor, enzyme, kinase, transporter, protease
- membrane channelsaquaporins
- membrane proteinsaquaporin, transporters, transporter, carrier proteins, CD4
- membrane transportconcentration gradient, diffusion, osmosis, ionophore
- transport proteinsaquaporin, ionophore
channel, channels, channeling, sodium, channeled, multichannel, channelize, channelized, subchannel