Refer to the graph below. The graph shows data for the amount of connexin protein present in cells of the right ventricle and cells of the left ventricle isolated from patients who experienced heart failure due to arrhythmia.The quantities are expressed as percentage of the amount of connexin protein present in controls, determined using heart cells from individuals without heart failure.Which hypothesis is supported by these data?
A) Low numbers of gap junctions result in reduction of coordinated transmission of ions between adjacent heart cells.
B) Gap junctions lose their specificity of particle transmission as the result of heart disease.
C) Hundreds of gap junctions per heart cell, covering up to 25 percent of the cell surface area, are needed for healthy cardiac function.
D) Mutations in connexin proteins can lead to reduced ability of gap junctions to facilitate rapid transmission of ions and small molecules between cells.
E) The composition of a single gap junction includes six subunits of the protein connexin, which can be reduced to fewer than six in disease states.

Question

Refer to the graph below.  The graph shows data for the amount of connexin protein present in cells of the right ventricle and cells of the left ventricle isolated from patients who experienced heart failure due to arrhythmia.The quantities are expressed as percentage of the amount of connexin protein present in controls, determined using heart cells from individuals without heart failure.Which hypothesis is supported by these data?
A) Low numbers of gap junctions result in reduction of coordinated transmission of ions between adjacent heart cells. 
B) Gap junctions lose their specificity of particle transmission as the result of heart disease. 
C) Hundreds of gap junctions per heart cell, covering up to 25 percent of the cell surface area, are needed for healthy cardiac function. 
D) Mutations in connexin proteins can lead to reduced ability of gap junctions to facilitate rapid transmission of ions and small molecules between cells. 
E) The composition of a single gap junction includes six subunits of the protein connexin, which can be reduced to fewer than six in disease states.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The graph shows a decrease in connexin protein in the cells of both the right and left ventricles in patients with heart failure due to arrhythmia, compared to controls. Connexin proteins are important in forming gap junctions between heart cells, which allow for the coordinated transmission of ions and small molecules between cells. Therefore, the decrease in connexin protein suggests a reduction in the number of functional gap junctions and a subsequent reduction in coordinated transmission, supporting hypothesis A.

Refer to the Graph Below