What happens to muscle tone when someone is exposed to high doses of strychnine?

When someone is exposed to high doses of strychnine, severe muscle spasms occur due to its mechanism of action as a potent neurotoxin. Strychnine primarily acts by blocking glycine receptors in the spinal cord and the brainstem, which are responsible for inhibiting muscle contractions. Glycine is an important neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle tone and relaxation. By inhibiting this neurotransmitter, strychnine leads to uncontrolled and excessive excitation of the muscles, resulting in violent and painful spasms known as convulsions. This can significantly increase muscle tone because the muscles remain contracted rather than relaxed. Understanding the function of glycine and how strychnine disrupts its activity clarifies why exposure to this toxin results in severe muscle spasms rather than relaxation or diminished reflexes.