1
The nervous system
Electrical impulses fire all the time to activate muscle by triggering the release of a chemical called ACh
Nerve cell
Electrical
impulse
ACh
released
2
Muscle function
ACh is then broken down by an enzyme that stops muscle from becoming overstimulated
Enzyme
Pre-synaptic
cells
ACh
Impulse
created in
muscle
ACh
broken
down
3
The effects of nerve agents
The enzyme is blocked by the nerve agent and levels of ACh increase. Muscles become overstimulated and the victim rapidly loses control of vital functions
Nerve agent
molecules
ACh
Muscle
becomes
over-
stimulated
1
The nervous system
Electrical impulses fire all the time to activate muscle by triggering the release of a chemical called ACh
2
Muscle function
ACh is then broken down by an enzyme that stops muscle from becoming overstimulated
Enzyme
Pre-synaptic
cells
ACh
Electrical
impulse
Impulse
created in
muscle
ACh is
broken
down
Nerve cell
3
The effects of nerve agents
The enzyme is blocked by the nerve agent and levels of ACh increase. Muscles become overstimulated and the victim rapidly loses control of vital functions
ACh
released
Nerve agent
molecules
ACh
Muscle
becomes
over-
stimulated