Use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
"Marine cone snails from the genus Conus are estimated to consist of up to 700 species.These predatory molluscs have devised an efficient venom apparatus that allows them to successfully capture polychaete worms,other molluscs,or in some cases fish as their primary food sources.… conotoxins from Australian species of Conus … have the capacity to inhibit specifically the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in higher animals." (B.G.Livett,K.R.Gayler,and Z.Khalil.2004.Drugs from the sea: Conopeptides as potential therapeutics.Current Medicinal Chemistry 11:1715-23.)
-What is the adaptive value of this toxin?
I.It would cause muscle spasms in the prey.
II.It would result in paralysis of the skeletal muscle of the prey.
III.It would stimulate digestive tract smooth muscle to cause nausea and vomiting of the prey.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conotoxin from Australian species of Conus is specifically targeted to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in higher animals. Since skeletal muscle uses nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for contraction, inhibiting this receptor would result in paralysis of the skeletal muscle in the prey. This adaptive feature of the toxin allows the cone snail to successfully capture its prey. Therefore, the correct answer is only II. Choices I and III are not supported by the information given in the passage.

Use the Following Information to Answer the Question(s) Below