Tuesday, April 5, 2016

4.1.2


Explain the role of neurotransmitters in stimulating skeletal muscle contraction.

Acetylcholine: released into the synaptic gap and binds to receptor sites on the motor endplate causing the sarcolemma to depolarize, generating an action potential (this is done by a flow of sodium ions into the muscle fiber)

Cholinesterase: breaks down acetylcholine in the synaptic gap after muscle contraction has taken place. This allows the neuron to return to its resting state.

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