Myasthenia gravis is a disease caused by the immune system that attacks the acetylcholine receptors found on muscle cells. What effect would blocking these receptors have on muscle contraction?

What will be an ideal response?


Acetylcholine is needed to initiate an action potential on the surface of a muscle cell. Without it, the muscle will not contract. If a diseased state destroys or blocks the receptors that acetylcholine normally binds to, the signal will not be sent, and the muscle will not contract.

Biology & Microbiology

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An animal has segments, bilateral symmetry, pharyngeal slits, a post-anal tail, and a notochord. It must be a member of the phylum _____.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Biology & Microbiology

Two outwardly dissimilar groups, the ________ and the chordates, together with a few other small phyla, constitute the deuterostomes.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Biology & Microbiology

The number of chromosome pairs in a species:

a) is always 23. b) is greatest among insects. c) is always greater than three. d) increases with intelligence. e) None of the above are true.

Biology & Microbiology

The key element in catabolic reactions is that they ________

a. release energy b. are irreversible c. require different amounts of energy to proceed d. cause digestive enzymes to be released e. are condensation reactions

Biology & Microbiology