Question

Vasodilation and a subsequently low blood pressure are dangerous consequences of ______ ______, which results from an infection by bacterial endotoxin.

Answer 1

Septic shock is a dangerous consequence of bacterial infection, specifically from bacterial endotoxin. Gram-negative bacteria release tumor necrosis factor, causing vasodilation and low blood pressure. High concentrations of tumor necrosis factor can lead to severe inflammation, multi-organ failure, and death.

Step-by-step explanation:

Septic shock is a dangerous consequence of bacterial infection, specifically from bacterial endotoxin. Gram-negative bacteria, when engulfed by immune system phagocytes, release tumor necrosis factor, a molecule involved in inflammation. Tumor necrosis factor causes vasodilation, leading to low blood pressure. With high concentrations of tumor necrosis factor, the inflammatory reaction is severe, resulting in a drop in blood pressure to dangerously low levels. This can have dire consequences, including multi-organ failure and death.