In a normal brain, the protein called tau is ________
A) a sticky substance at the core of a plaque.
B) a neurotoxic substance that occurs in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
C) acts like scaffolding, supporting a tube inside neurons and allowing them to conduct nerve impulses.
D) are misshapen and tangled, causing the neuron tube to collapse.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tau acts like scaffolding, supporting a tube inside neurons and allowing them to conduct nerve impulses. In a normal brain, tau proteins are in their correct shape and location, providing support for neurons to function properly.

Answer: A and D
 In Alzheimer's disease, tau proteins become misshapen and tangled, causing the neuron tube to collapse. These misfolded tau proteins aggregate together to form plaques in the brain, which disrupt neural communication and lead to the cognitive decline and memory loss characteristic of the disease. Therefore, in Alzheimer's disease, tau is both a sticky substance at the core of a plaque and causes the neuron tube collapse.

In a Normal Brain, the Protein Called Tau Is ________