Question

The disease _______ affects the central nervous system.

Answer 1

Polio:

1. It is a viral disease that destroys the nerve cells present in the spinal cord, causing paralysis or muscle weakness to some parts of the body.
2. Many of these motor neurons are commonly damaged or destroyed during a polio infection.
3. To compensate for the ensuing neuron deficit, the remaining neurons sprout more fibers, and the surviving motor units become larger.
4. The virus infects and destroys motor neurons in the central nervous system, causing muscular weakness and abrupt flaccid paralysis.
5. The poliovirus specifically targets neurons in the brain stem and spinal cord.

Final answer: The disease polio affects the central nervous system.