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Question #46969
The Question
According to the Fluid Mosaic Model, the quasi-fluid nature of the cell membrane is essential for functions like secretion, cell division, and endocytosis. If a hypothetical toxin selectively eliminates the quasi-fluidity of the post-synaptic membrane at a chemical synapse, rendering it completely rigid, which of the following would be the most direct consequence on neural signal transduction?
Options
- A.
Exocytosis of neurotransmitter vesicles from the pre-synaptic terminal will be completely inhibited.
- B.
The synaptic delay will be significantly reduced as the rigid membrane facilitates rapid electrical coupling.
- C.
Ligand-gated ion channels will be mechanically inhibited from undergoing conformational changes, preventing ion influx.
- D.
Neurotransmitters will fail to diffuse across the synaptic cleft due to the loss of membrane permeability.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Euglenoid Pellicle Flexibility|Feedback Mechanism Loops|Corpus Callosum Functionality
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often memorize NCERT's list of functions for membrane fluidity (cell growth, secretion, endocytosis) but fail to apply it to the biophysics of protein conformational changes in signal transduction.
The trap in Option A tests 'Location Specificity' by baiting students into choosing 'exocytosis' (a known fluidity-dependent process) while ignoring that the prompt explicitly specified the 'post-synaptic' membrane.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biological Classification - Class 11 |
| Concept | Euglenoid Pellicle Flexibility |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |