Which class of chemical agents does nerve gas belong to?

Nerve gas falls under the class of chemical agents known as organophosphates. This classification is based on the chemical structure of the compounds used in nerve agents, which typically contain phosphorus atoms bonded to organic groups. Organophosphates inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, leading to an accumulation of acetylcholine in the synaptic clefts of the nervous system. This results in overstimulation of muscles, glands, and the central nervous system, causing damaging effects on bodily functions.

Given this mechanism, nerve agents are specifically engineered to be highly toxic and act rapidly when they enter the body, whether through inhalation or skin absorption. Understanding nerve agents as organophosphates is crucial for first responders and medical personnel, as it informs the appropriate medical countermeasures, such as the use of atropine and pralidoxime, in cases of exposure. The other options, while representing different classes of chemicals, do not apply to the classification of nerve agents, which is exclusively tied to the organophosphate category.