Jan Wiley

Biology

7 June, 17:04

The blue-ringed octopus, shown below, utilizes a venom called tetrodotoxin as a defense mechanism.

Tetrodotoxin binds to sodium channels and blocks the passage of sodium ions. Based on this information, which symptom would most likely occur in an organism exposed to tetodotoxin?

A.

decreased appetite due to the production of hormones that indicate fullness

B.

paralysis due to lack of action potentials to signal muscle tissue

C.

increased heart rate due to increased nerve impulses to the heart muscles

D.

blindness due to proteins in the eyes denaturing and losing functionality