You administer a local anaesthetic (lignocaine) to“numb up” a patient.a) What is this drug’s target and where exactly does itbind? (2 marks)b) What is the impact on neural conduction and why?(2 mark

a) The target of lignocaine (also known as lidocaine) is the voltage-gated sodium channels located in the neuronal cell membrane. It binds to the inner portion of these channels, specifically to the S6 segments of domains III and IV.

b) The impact on neural conduction is that it becomes blocked. This is because lignocaine inhibits the influx of sodium ions through the sodium channels. This prevents the generation and conduction of action potentials, which are necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses. As a result, the sensation of pain is not transmitted to the brain, causing the area to become "numb."