Final answer:
Tetanus toxin affects the neurotransmitters glycine and GABA, inhibiting their release and causing permanent muscle contraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tetanus toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani and affects the neurotransmitters glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Tetanus toxin affects the neurotransmitters glycine and GABA, inhibiting their release and causing permanent muscle contraction.
Normally, these neurotransmitters bind to neurons at the neuromuscular junction, resulting in the inhibition of acetylcholine release and muscle relaxation.
However, tetanus toxin inhibits the release of glycine and GABA, leading to permanent muscle contraction. This causes symptoms such as stiffness of the jaw (lockjaw) and violent muscle spasms in other parts of the body.