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Multiple Choice

The tetanus toxin is less potent than the botulinum toxin.

The main idea being tested is how the potencies of two classic bacterial neurotoxins compare. Botulinum toxin is regarded as the most potent toxin known, with an exceptionally low LD50, meaning that minute amounts can be lethal. Tetanus toxin is also extremely dangerous, but it requires a larger dose to achieve similar fatal effects, so it is less potent overall. Mechanistically, botulinum toxin blocks acetylcholine release at the peripheral neuromuscular junction, causing flaccid paralysis, while tetanus toxin travels to the central nervous system and inhibits release of inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA and glycine, leading to spastic contractions. Because botulinum toxin achieves its deadly effects at far smaller doses, the tetanus toxin is less potent. Thus the statement is true. Variability among strains exists, but the general comparison holds: botulinum toxin is more potent than tetanus toxin.

The main idea being tested is how the potencies of two classic bacterial neurotoxins compare. Botulinum toxin is regarded as the most potent toxin known, with an exceptionally low LD50, meaning that minute amounts can be lethal. Tetanus toxin is also extremely dangerous, but it requires a larger dose to achieve similar fatal effects, so it is less potent overall. Mechanistically, botulinum toxin blocks acetylcholine release at the peripheral neuromuscular junction, causing flaccid paralysis, while tetanus toxin travels to the central nervous system and inhibits release of inhibitory neurotransmitters like GABA and glycine, leading to spastic contractions. Because botulinum toxin achieves its deadly effects at far smaller doses, the tetanus toxin is less potent. Thus the statement is true. Variability among strains exists, but the general comparison holds: botulinum toxin is more potent than tetanus toxin.