Question Details

If a muscle fails to give stimulation action and there is much ingestion of lactic acid, the conduction is termed as

Options

A

Fatigue

B

Tonus

C

Paralysis

D

Tetanus

Correct Answer :

Fatigue

Solution :

The correct answer is Fatigue.

To understand why this is the correct conduction state, let's break down the physiological processes happening in the muscle step-by-step:
1. Anaerobic Respiration and Lactic Acid Accumulation: When a muscle undergoes strenuous or repetitive contraction without sufficient oxygen supply, it switches from aerobic respiration to anaerobic respiration to produce energy. A major byproduct of this anaerobic pathway is lactic acid. As lactic acid accumulates in the muscle tissue, it dissociates into lactate and hydrogen ions, lowering the pH of the muscle environment.
2. Impaired Muscle Stimulation and Conduction: The acidic environment (low pH) directly affects the muscle fiber's ability to contract. It interferes with calcium ion release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, disrupts the binding of calcium to troponin, and impairs the activity of key enzymes involved in muscle contraction. Consequently, the muscle fails to respond effectively to further stimulation.
3. Defining the State: This state of temporary inability of a muscle to contract and respond to stimuli due to metabolic exhaustion and lactic acid accumulation is physiologically termed muscle fatigue.

Let's also look at why the other options are incorrect:
- Tonus: Refers to the continuous and passive partial contraction of muscles, which helps maintain posture.
- Paralysis: Refers to the loss of voluntary muscle function, which is typically caused by nervous system damage rather than temporary metabolic accumulation.
- Tetanus: Refers to a state of sustained muscle contraction evoked when the motor nerve emits action potentials at a very high rate, or a disease causing painful muscle spasms.

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