Cholera is the leading cause of death in children in developing countries, characterized by massive diarrhea. The effects stem from an extracellular toxin that the bacterium Vibrio cholerae releases into the gut. The toxin acts on a ________ that overstimulates _______Which causes a cascade of Events that leads to electrolytes leaving the cell and causing water to follow them into the lumen of the intestine, resulting in severe diarrhea.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The toxin produced by Vibrio cholerae acts on G proteins, which in turn overstimulates adenylate cyclase. This leads to an increase in cAMP levels, causing the cascade of events that result in electrolyte imbalance and severe diarrhea.

Cholera Is the Leading Cause of Death in Children in Developing