Certain pesticides degrade the efficacy of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that
ID: 54953 • Letter: C
Question
Certain pesticides degrade the efficacy of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine. When humans are exposed to these, really bad things happen. As far as muscular contraction is concerned, what might happen to an unlucky person who happened to ingest such a pesticide? *
2 points
A. Ca2+ reuptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscles would be compromised.
B. Skeletal muscles would continue to contract.
C. Rigor mortis would set in for skeletal muscles.
D. Skeletal muscles would relax.
Explanation / Answer
B. Skeletal muscles would continue to contract
explanation:uue to uptake of pesticide the acetylcholinesterase will be inhibited and hence there will be no breakdown of neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is responsible for relaxation of muscle after contraction(at neuromuscular junction). The result of acetylcholine esterase inhibition is that acetylcholine builds up and continues to act so that any nerve impulses are continually transmitted and muscle contractions do not stop. and hence there will be prolonged contraction.