Human Health and Diseases Question 34
34. Botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum affects the
[1998]
(a) intestine
(b) neuromuscular junction
(c) spleen
(d) lymph glands
Show Answer
Answer : b
Hints & Solutions
(b) Botulism is caused by the ingestion of food containing the toxin of Clostridium botulinum. Before the introduction of a strict canning code, the food canning industry was responsible for many deaths each year from botulism (Food poisoning). Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces an exotoxin which is highly toxic for the synaptic ends of the nerves where it blocks the release of acetylcholine which is a chemical necessary for the transmission of nerve impulse across the synapses.
