ACh Activity At Synaptic Cleft

[ChrisM07]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

This question came up in Achiever and I was torn between two answers. I don't see why C cannot be correct. Neurotransmitter re-uptake is one of the few methods for getting rid of it in the synaptic cleft.

Side note: these Achiever questions as a whole are very specific. You guys are sure I should not be concerned about my scores with this program? 🙄

 

[rudspan]

Technically it is reabsorbed, but only after being broken down by AChE. It seems like one of those "which is more correct" type questions that are frustrating.

 

[hope_to_match]

Hey. It is a fact that ACH gets broken down. Otherwise the muscle will be in a constant state of contraction (tetanus)..

 

[ChrisM07]

Yeah I got that. But re-uptake also occurs I learned. Same with neurotransmitters like serotonin (that's how the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SSRI's work). I mean, I chose the correct answer because it was the most "surely correct" answer. Thanks guys!

Quiz question: what's the disease where the ACh receptors are blocked by antibodies? What's the treatment for this?

 

[hope_to_match]

I assume if the receptors are blocked, then no muscle contraction can occur (muscle dystrophy) .. Not sire what the treatment is but probably would have something to do with activating the receptors/ unblocking the receptors

 

[ChrisM07]

Myasthenia gravis is what I was thinking of. Nice rationale though. It's an autoimmune disease where the body makes antibodies for the receptors on the post-synaptic side of the NMJ. The treatment could be an acetylcholineesterase inhibitor to make sure that ACh can hang around longer as well as immunosuppressants that can suppress the formation of these antibodies towards the receptor.

Muscular dystrophy is a mutation in the dystrophin protein that is located in the muscle membranes.