Question

Explain in physiological terms what would happen to muscle contraction if the acetylcholine receptor were somehow blocked and Ach was unable to bind to the receptor. Be specific in your answer.

Answer 1

Ans

If the receptor sites for the acetylcholine are blocked, the acetylcholine is not able to act on that receptor. Most of the time, the neurotransmitter will then be taken back up by the neuron that released it, in a process known as "reuptake".

During Myasthenia gravis, the immune system block or destroy acetylcholine receptors. Thus, the muscles do not receive the neurotransmitter and cannot function normally. Specifically, without acetylcholine, muscles cannot contract.