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nautica
Oct4-04, 10:57 AM
In the disease myathenia gravis, the body makes, by mistake, antibodies to its own actylcholine receptors molecules. These antibodies bind to and inactivate acetylcholine receptors on the plasma membrane of muscle cells. The disease leads to a progressive weakening of the patients motor responses. Early on, they may have difficulty opening their eyelids, for example. As the disease progresses,, most muscles weaken, and patients have difficulty speaking and swallowing. Eventually, impaired breathing can cause death.

Now, I need to explain which step of muscle funtion is affected.

Monique
Oct4-04, 04:40 PM
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmittor released from the neural motor end plate of a neuron, it will bind to acetylcholine receptors on the muscle and cause a depolarization that leads the muscle to contract.

nautica
Oct4-04, 06:36 PM
Yes, I understood that. I guess, I was just making too much out of the question. I guess what you said is the step, which is asked for.

thanks
nautica