DAT question of the Day Help!!!!

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mpatel24

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Here is the link to the question of the day:

http://datquestionoftheday.com/category/biology/

How do you know that an increase in ATP inhibits the KATP channel. In my biology class an arrow represents activation while a flat arrow represents inhibition. In the picture, an increase in ATP has a arrow directly pointed to KATP channel. So how do we know ATP inhibits this?
 
I'll try to explain what's going on here. I think there is actually an error in the answer explanation - the K+ ATP channel being blocked prevents K+ from leaving the cell (not entering), resulting in depolarization.

Now how are you supposed to know this? You won't necessarily, which is why this is an application style question. You have to work with various pieces of information you might know:

1. K+ is at a higher concentration inside the cell than outside the cell
2. There is a higher concentration of Ca 2+ outside the cell than inside the cell
3. VDCC's (Voltage Dependent Calcium Channels) activate when there is depolarization
4. There is a normal inward current of ions into a cell that would depolarize it, but this is countered by the K+ channel's outward flow.

Now let's pretend you only knew 1 and 3. We know that K+ is at a higher concentration inside the cell, so it will want to flow outside the cell if it can. We also know that this channel is sensitive to ATP in some way. So only two things can happen here: either the channel is always open and ATP closes it, or the channel is always closed and ATP opens it. If the latter was the case, when ATP concentration goes up, the K+ channel would open and K+ would rush out of the cell. We know this hyperpolarizes a membrane, not depolarizes, and therefore wouldn't trigger the VDCC. This alone throws out A, B, and D as answer choices because they all focus on hyperpolarization. That means the first possibility must be the case - the K+ ATP sensitive channel is usually open, ATP concentration goes up and closes it, and depolarization results.

Piecing this together, you'd be able to figure out that what's going on: Glucose enters a cell --> ATP concentration goes up --> the ATP closes the K+ channel preventing its outward flow from the cell --> depolarization occurs --> VDCC opens up --> Ca ions rush in --> exocytosis of insulin. Answer choice C is correct.
 
Thanks so much. That makes a lot of sense. So to know how and when channels are closed, I basically just have to logically predict and work it out. Do I have to memorize certain channels that will be open or closed (i.e. voltage gated sodium channels, etc.). Cause in my biology classes I always encountered that ATP always activates ATP-dependent channels. I guess that's not the case anymore...
 
It's not necessarily that the ATP doesn't activate the channel, it's that the form of activation results in the channel closing. VDCC is an important one and I'd know about the Na/K pump as well, but I can't remember off the top of my head what other important ones might show up.
 
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