Question

Latrotoxin, produced by the poisonous black widow spider, increases the release of acetylcholine. how do muscle cells respond?

Answer 1

Latrotoxin produced by widow spider affects muscle nerve endings. This toxin forms pores on the membrane of the cell. As a consequence, an influx of Ca+ ions occurs and bursts of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (Ach) are released. Ach induces an increase in neuromuscular activity that leads to painful skeletal muscle spasms and later even paralysis.