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Multiple Choice
2. If acetylcholinesterase became mutated and nonfunctional, what would be the immediate result?
A
Increased breakdown of acetylcholine, causing muscle paralysis
B
Enhanced synthesis of acetylcholine, leading to faster nerve impulses
C
Decreased levels of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, resulting in reduced nerve signal transmission
D
Accumulation of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, leading to continuous stimulation of the postsynaptic cell
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of acetylcholinesterase in the nervous system. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, in the synaptic cleft after it has transmitted a nerve signal.
Step 2: Consider what happens if acetylcholinesterase becomes nonfunctional due to a mutation. Without this enzyme, acetylcholine cannot be broken down efficiently, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft.
Step 3: Analyze the effects of acetylcholine accumulation. Acetylcholine is responsible for stimulating the postsynaptic cell, such as a muscle cell or another neuron. Continuous presence of acetylcholine would result in prolonged stimulation of the postsynaptic cell.
Step 4: Rule out the incorrect options. Increased breakdown of acetylcholine cannot occur because the enzyme responsible for this process is nonfunctional. Enhanced synthesis of acetylcholine is unrelated to the enzyme's mutation. Decreased levels of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft would not occur because the enzyme is unable to break it down.
Step 5: Conclude that the immediate result of a nonfunctional acetylcholinesterase is the accumulation of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, leading to continuous stimulation of the postsynaptic cell.