A class of spermicides (used for contraception) inhibits the flagellar...
Gossypol is a polyphenolic pigment isolated from cotton plant. It was used as male oral contraceptive in China. Its use has been stopped due to high toxicity. It made sperms immobile by inhibiting the motor protein dynein. Dynein is an ATPase found associated with microtubules in sperm flagella. It hydrolyzes ATP, whose energy is used for sperm motility. If dynein ATPase is inhibited, sperm is immobile and can not swim to ova for fertilization. This leads to contraceptive effects.
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A class of spermicides (used for contraception) inhibits the flagellar...
Spermicides and their mechanism of action
Spermicides are chemical substances that are used for contraception. They work by inhibiting the movement of sperm, thereby preventing them from reaching and fertilizing the egg. One class of spermicides achieves this by inhibiting the flagellar motion of the sperm.
Inhibiting the motor protein dynein
The correct answer is option 'A', which states that the class of spermicides inhibits the motor protein dynein. Dynein is a motor protein responsible for the movement of flagella and cilia, which are whip-like structures present on the surface of sperm cells. These flagella are essential for sperm motility and enable the sperm to swim towards the egg.
Mechanism of dynein
Dynein functions by converting chemical energy from ATP (adenosine triphosphate) into mechanical force, which powers the sliding motion of microtubules within the flagella. This sliding motion leads to the bending and undulating movement of the flagella, propelling the sperm forward.
Inhibition of dynein by spermicides
The class of spermicides inhibits dynein, preventing it from functioning properly. This inhibition can occur through various mechanisms, such as binding to the dynein protein and interfering with its ATPase activity, which is crucial for its motor function.
Consequences of dynein inhibition
When dynein is inhibited, the sliding motion of microtubules within the flagella is disrupted. This leads to a loss of flagellar motion and, consequently, a loss of sperm motility. Without the ability to swim towards the egg, the sperm is unable to reach and fertilize it, thereby preventing pregnancy.
Importance of dynein inhibition
Inhibiting dynein specifically is important because it selectively targets the flagellar motion of the sperm while leaving other cellular functions unaffected. This ensures that the spermicide is effective in preventing pregnancy without causing harm or interfering with other essential cellular processes.
In conclusion, the correct answer is option 'A' because the class of spermicides inhibits the motor protein dynein, preventing the flagellar motion of sperm and thereby impeding their ability to swim towards the egg for fertilization.