MOVESCI 320 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Somatotopic Arrangement, Optic Tract, Retina
Document Summary
All muscle fibers innervated by a single motor neuron; smallest functional unit of muscle contraction. Each muscle fiber is innervated by one motor neuron, usually at its mid-point; except during development. Connection between motor neuron and muscle fiber is called an endplate; each end plate contains a synapse between neuron and muscle. Outline the key aspects of the neuromuscular junction with respect to synaptic transmission. One muscle fiber is innervated by one axon. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter released at the neuromuscular junction. Propagated the same way as in the brain, regenerating action potentials by opening sodium channels etc. Chemical synapse because you need chemical release to bridge gap. Ach released binds to ligand receptor that opens na+ ligand gated channel, na+ flows in, depolarization that opens v-gated na+ channels, depolarization of muscle fiber with generates action potential in the muscle fiber. Describe the organization of a muscle fiber and the process by which force is produced in the muscle.
