Final answer:
The venom of the black widow spider acts like a neurotransmitter by mimicking acetylcholine's effects, leading to impaired neurotransmission and symptoms such as muscle cramps and paralysis. The correct option is 3).
Step-by-step explanation:
The venom of a black widow spider acts like a neurotransmitter by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine. In the context of venom and its biological effects, a neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that can influence nerve cell function by either mimicking or blocking the natural signals that nerves use to communicate, such as acetylcholine.
Latrotoxins, which are the main component of the black widow spider's venom, disrupt the normal communication between nerve cells in this manner.
Similar to how nerve poisons like botulinum toxin or bungarotoxin affect acetylcholine movement or receptor response, the black widow venom impairs normal neurotransmission, leading to symptoms such as pain, muscle cramps, and paralysis. Option 3) is the correct one.