A Toxin Released by the Anaerobic Bacterium Clostridium Botulinum Causes

question 173

Multiple Choice

A toxin released by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum causes the food-borne illness known as botulism, which inhibits the release of ACh at the neuromuscular junction. What effect does this have on the person?

• A) It causes flaccid paralysis, and if it affects the respiratory muscles, can result in death.
• B) It disrupts the balance between ACh and acetylcholinesterase, leading to spastic contractions.
• C) The brain compensates by producing more ACh, limiting the illness to only a few hours.
• D) The jaws are most affected, and it results in "lockjaw."
• E) Problems only result when the individual has low immunity.

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Definitions:

Genetic Differences

Genetic differences are variations in the sequences of DNA among individuals or populations, leading to diversity in traits and susceptibilities to diseases.

Genetic Variation

The diversity in gene frequencies within a population, which contributes to the population's ability to adapt and evolve.

Additive Effects

The combined effect of different genes, where the overall effect is the sum of the individual effects of each gene.

Phenotypic Plasticity

Phenotypic plasticity refers to changes in the phenotype produced by a single genotype in different environments.