You are trying to design a new drug to painlessly euthanize animals.Your plan is to design a molecule that blocks the action of one of the following pumps so that heart muscle stays contracted and blood movement is stopped.Which would be effective?
A)Ca ²⁺-ATPase pumps on the cell membrane
B)Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase pumps on the cell membrane
C)Ca²⁺-ATPase pumps on the sarcoplasmic reticulum
D)Na⁺/Ca²⁺-exchangers on the cell membrane
E)None of these would result in sustained muscle contraction

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Blocking the Ca²⁺-ATPase pumps on the sarcoplasmic reticulum would prevent the removal of Ca²⁺ ions from the sarcoplasm, which is required for muscle relaxation. This would lead to sustained muscle contraction and eventual cessation of blood flow. None of the other pumps listed would result in sustained muscle contraction like this.

You Are Trying to Design a New Drug to Painlessly