John is working in a hospital while he is studying to become a physician. One of his duties is to transport recently deceased patients to the morgue. While moving the gurney, he is surprised to discover how stiff the bodies can be. When a person dies, rigor mortis sets in as ATP synthesis ceases. Explain why the lack of ATP and the presence of calcium in muscle cells would cause muscles to become rigid, rather than limp, after death. What causes rigor mortis?
When a person drinks an excessive amount of alcohol, that individual becomes drunk or intoxicated, a condition resulting in a lack of muscular control and coordination. Specifically, how does the alcohol cause this condition?
An individual who has been on a diet that eliminates dairy products complains of muscular spasms and nervousness. Specifically, why might these symptoms result from such a low-calcium diet?
Explain on a cellular level how the bacterium Clostridium botulinum affects the muscles of the human body?
Explain on a cellular level how the poliovirus affects the muscles of the human body?
When the diaphragm muscle contracts, its position in the body is lowered. In contrast, when the external intercostal muscles of the ribs contract, they become elevated. Both of these muscle contractions create more volume in the thoracic cavity. The resultant decree in the pressure within the thoracic cavity causes air to move from the body’s exterior (where there is higher pressure) in to the lower-pressure area of the thoracic cavity. Thus, inspiration occurs as the lungs fill with air. Relaxing of the muscle returns them to their original positions, and exhaling forces air out. Given the information about the mechanics of inspiration, how might the calcium leakage into the sarcomeres (as occursfollowing death) of diaphragm muscle tissue explain the phenomenon of a corpse making a “moaning” sound?
An accident victim not wearing a seatbelt was thrown from a vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The autopsy reveals the cause of death to be spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis of the phrenic and intercostal nerves. Why is this particular injury fatal?
Gregor, who works at a pesticide factory, comes to the clinic complaining of muscle spasms that interfere with his movement and breathing. A blood test shows that he has become contaminated with organophosphate pesticide. The doctor states that this type of pesticide is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. How would you explain to Gregor what this means?
Lynn has been waking up each night with intense pain in her calves. She does not feel that it is serious enough to seek medical attention but would like to know what is causing the pain… What would you tell her concerning this problem? She has been playing tennis all summer for several ours each day. Could this have anything to do with the night pain?
Jenna was running in the half- marathon last Saturday without much training and her muscles became very sore about 10 miles into the run. She pushed through the pain and finished the race. That pain quickly subsided after the race, but then the next morning she awoke very stiff and sore. Explain what caused the pain in her legs during the race and then explain the soreness/stiffness the next morning.
Aaron arrived at the hospital with the following symptoms: drooping eyelids, fatigue and weakness of his muscles; and difficulty breathing and swallowing. What was his diagnosis?
An individual who has been on a diet that eliminates dairy products complains of muscular spasms and nervousness. Specifically, why might these symptoms result from such a low-calcium diet?