Question

Lathyrism is caused by the excess consumption of
A. Khesari dal
B. Mustard oil
C. Polished rice
D. Mushrooms

Answer 1

Lathyrism is a form of irreversible and non-progressive spastic paraparesis associated with the poorly understood degenerative changes in spinal cord. It is caused by eating certain legumes of the lathyrus genus.

Complete answer:
Lathyrism is a condition which is caused by eating certain legumes of the genus lathyrus such as chicling pea, khesari dal etc. There are three types of lathyrism: osteolathyrism, neurolathyrism and neurolathyrism. All of which are permanent but differ in affected tissues and the symptoms.
Neurolathyrism is a type associated with the consumption of legumes in the lathyrus genus that contain a toxin called ODAP. ODAP ingestion results in the death of motoneurons. The result is muscle atrophy of the lower limbs and paralysis. Osteolathyrism is a different type of lathyrism. It doesn't affect the motor neurons, instead it affects the connective tissues. Osteolathyrism is caused by the ingestion of lathyrus odoratus seeds such as sweet peas and it is often referred to as odoratism. It is caused by a different toxin called beta-aminopropionitrile, which affects linking of the collagen which is a protein of connective tissues. Another type of lathyrism is neurolathyrism, which is similar to osteolathyrism in its effects on connective tissue and is caused by a toxin called toxin beta-aminopropionitrile. However, blood vessels are affected as opposed to the bone.
Mustard belongs to the family Cruciferae, rice belongs to Oryza sativa, and mushroom belongs to Agaricaceae. Khesari dal belongs to the family lathyrus.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Some species of lathyrus, like Lathyrus odoratus, are not able to induce human lathyrism but they contain a compound, beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), that induces pathological changes in bone, and blood vessels of animals without damaging the nervous system. But some compounds, beta'-iminodipropionitrile and dimethylamino propionitrile are chronic neurotoxins in animals and humans.