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Q.159 Zoology ⭐ 360° Option Elimination Active
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NEET 2021 Zoology Question 159 Solution

Topic: Locomotion and Movement · Official NTA Booklet Code M1
NEET 2021 Zoology Question 159: Neuromuscular Autoimmune Disorders: Myasthenia Gravis

Question

Chronic auto immune disorder affecting neuro muscular junction leading to fatigue, weakening and paralysis of skeletal muscle is called as:

  1. (1)Arthritis
  2. (2)Muscular dystrophy
  3. (3)Myasthenia gravis
  4. (4)Gout
✓
Verified Against NTA Final Answer Key
Option (3) : Myasthenia gravis
📚 Locomotion and Movement Easy
📋 Given Parameters & Problem Setup
Condition Traits Chronic autoimmune disorder, affects neuromuscular junction, causes fatigue, muscle weakness, paralysis of skeletal muscle
Candidate Disorders (1) Arthritis, (2) Muscular dystrophy, (3) Myasthenia gravis, (4) Gout
⚡

The 30-Second Exam Hall Shortcut: ⚡ "Autoimmune + Neuromuscular Junction = Myasthenia Gravis"

⏱️ Save ~25 seconds

The verbatim NCERT clinical definition: "Myasthenia gravis: Auto-immune disorder affecting neuromuscular junction leading to fatigue, weakening and paralysis of skeletal muscle." Muscular dystrophy is genetic, arthritis/gout affect joints. Match Option (3) instantly!

1 Key identifier 1: "Autoimmune disorder".
2 Key identifier 2: "Affects neuromuscular junction (NMJ)".
3 Check candidate list: Myasthenia gravis is the only autoimmune disorder of the NMJ.
4 Match Option (3).
🛡️
Why You Can 100% Trust This Shortcut: NCERT Biology · Locomotion and Movement (Disorders of muscular and skeletal system: Myasthenia gravis is autoimmune affecting neuromuscular junction).
📐

Step-by-Step Rigorous Workflow & Mathematical Proof

Step 1

Pathophysiology of Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a classic autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous and muscular systems: - Autoantibodies (IgG) target and destroy nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) situated on the sarcolemma of the post-synaptic neuromuscular junction (NMJ). - When acetylcholine is released from motor neurons, fewer receptors are available to generate end-plate potentials. - Over time, repetitive muscular contraction fails, precipitating severe fatigue, flaccid weakness, and eventual paralysis of skeletal muscles (frequently initiating with ptosis of eyelids and diplopia).

Autoantibodies (IgG)→block / destroyACh Receptors at NMJ  ⟹  {↓Neuromuscular transmissionMuscle fatigue & paralysis\text{Autoantibodies (IgG)} \xrightarrow{\text{block / destroy}} \text{ACh Receptors at NMJ} \implies \begin{cases} \downarrow \text{Neuromuscular transmission} \\[2pt] \text{Muscle fatigue \& paralysis} \end{cases}
Step 2

Differential Diagnosis of Listed Disorders

- Arthritis: Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness. - Muscular dystrophy: Progressive degeneration of skeletal muscle caused by an X-linked recessive genetic defect (dystrophin gene mutation), NOT an autoimmune disorder. - Gout: Inflammation of joints caused by accumulation and crystallization of uric acid salts.

⭐

360° Option Elimination Engine Key Feature

Diagnose every choice: Know exactly why the right option works and why distractors fail.

4-Option Deep Scan
1 1
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Arthritis involves inflammation of joints, not an autoimmune block of neuromuscular junctions.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune, but it targets synovial membranes in joints, not neuromuscular junctions.
2 2
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Muscular dystrophy is a genetic defect (often Duchenne muscular dystrophy), not an autoimmune disorder.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): The classic pitfall: students remember muscular dystrophy causes progressive muscle weakness, forgetting its genetic etiology.
3 3
✓ 100% Correct
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Correct. Verbatim matches NCERT definition: chronic autoimmune condition targeting the neuromuscular junction leading to skeletal muscle fatigue and paralysis.

💡
Why this is airtight: None. Accurate diagnostic recognition.
4 4
✗ Incorrect
Verdict & Scientific Reason:

Incorrect. Gout is a metabolic disorder resulting from hyperuricemia and urate crystals in joint spaces.

⚠️
Student Fallacy (Why candidates pick this trap): Confusing joint pathology with neuromuscular junction signaling failure.
⚠️

NTA Trap Alert: Autoimmune (Myasthenia) vs Genetic (Muscular Dystrophy) Distinction

NTA loves contrasting Myasthenia Gravis and Muscular Dystrophy. Both lead to muscle wasting and weakness, but their fundamental causes are entirely different.

🛡️ How to avoid the -1 mark: Anchor: Myasthenia = auto-iMmune (NMJ antibodies); Dystrophy = genetic Defect (dystrophin gene).
📖

Core NEET Syllabus Standard

NEET / NCERT Biology · Locomotion and Movement Standard Benchmark
Core Scientific Principle Tested:

"Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular junctions, causing skeletal muscle weakness and paralysis."

Syllabus Focus: Disorders of Muscular and Skeletal System
✓ Core NEET UG Syllabus Anchor Syllabus & Academic Standards ↗

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