Asked by Cheyna Cooper on May 10, 2024
Verified
Drugs called calcium channel blockers may be used to lower blood pressure by causing arteries to vasodilate. How do you suppose these drugs work?
A) They prevent calcium from entering the sarcoplasmic reticulum of smooth muscle.
B) They stimulate the calcium pump in smooth muscle, thus removing calcium from the calmodulin.
C) They prevent calcium from exiting the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle.
D) They prevent calcium from entering cardiac muscle, thus slowing down the heart rate.
E) They prevent calcium from entering smooth muscle, thus allowing the muscle to relax.
Calcium Channel Blockers
A class of medications that disrupt the movement of calcium through calcium channels, used to treat hypertension, angina, and certain arrhythmias by relaxing blood vessels and reducing heart workload.
Blood Pressure
The force exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, typically measured in the arteries and considered important for ensuring effective circulation of blood.
Arteries
Blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body.
- Understand the effect of smooth muscle contraction on bodily functions.
Verified Answer
CM
Celes MaganaMay 14, 2024
Final Answer :
E
Explanation :
Calcium channel blockers work by preventing calcium ions from entering the cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, which is crucial for muscle contraction. By blocking calcium entry, these drugs allow smooth muscles in the arteries to relax, leading to vasodilation and a reduction in blood pressure.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the effect of smooth muscle contraction on bodily functions.