Question

Now that you know how a nerve impulse transmits through a neuron and into muscle tissue, explain why dehydration caused Joseph's muscle cramping? (5 Points) (Hint: During dehydration, a large amount of sodium is lost.)

a) Insufficient oxygen supply
b) Depletion of glucose
c) Loss of potassium
d) Sodium imbalance

Answer 1

Joseph's muscle cramping during dehydration is likely due to a sodium imbalance. This imbalance disrupts nerve and muscle function crucial for proper contractions.d) Sodium imbalance

Step-by-step explanation:

Dehydration can lead to muscle cramping because it causes an imbalance in electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and calcium, which are crucial for nerve impulse conduction and muscle contractions. When a person is dehydrated, they lose a significant amount of sodium through sweat, which can lead to a sodium imbalance. This imbalance disrupts the flow of calcium out of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), affecting muscle contraction since adequate sodium levels are needed to maintain proper muscle function. Furthermore, dehydration can decrease the rate of diffusion in the cytoplasm, impairing cellular function in neurons, which are particularly sensitive to these changes. Thus, Joseph's muscle cramping is most likely due to a sodium imbalance caused by excessive sodium loss during dehydration.