In the disease myasthenia gravis, the human body makes—by mistake— antibodies to its own acetylcholine receptor molecules. These antibodies bind to and inactivate acetylcholine receptors on the plasma membrane of muscle cells. The disease leads to a devastating progressive weakening of the people affected. early on, they may have difficulty opening their eyelids, for example, and, in an animal model of the disease, rabbits have difficulty holding their ears up. As the disease progresses, most muscles weaken, and people with myasthenia gravis have difficulty speaking and swallowing. eventually, impaired breathing can cause death. explain which step of muscle function is affected.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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In the disease myasthenia gravis, the human body makes—by mistake— antibodies to its own acetylcholine receptor molecules. These antibodies bind to and inactivate acetylcholine receptors on the plasma membrane of muscle cells. The disease leads to a devastating progressive weakening of the people affected. early on, they may have difficulty opening their eyelids, for example, and, in an animal model of the disease, rabbits have difficulty holding their ears up. As the disease progresses, most muscles weaken, and people with myasthenia gravis have difficulty speaking and swallowing. eventually, impaired breathing can cause death. explain which step of muscle function is affected.

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