The neuromuscular junction is synapse or junction located at the motor end plate where motor neurons synapse on muscle fibers, also known as muscle cells. As an action potential reaches the end of a motor neuron, voltage gated calcium channels open allowing calcium to enter the neuron. Calcium facilitates vesicle binding and neurotransmitter release from the motor neuron into the synaptic cleft. In vertebrates, motor neurons release acetylcholine (ACh), a small molecule neurotransmitter, which diffuses through the synapse and binds its receptor on the microfiber, opening ligand gated sodium channels, depolarizing the muscle fiber and causing a muscle contraction.
Read more about Neuromuscular Junction: Research Methods, Development of The Neuromuscular Junction, Mechanism of Action, Diseases
Famous quotes containing the word junction:
“In order to get to East Russet you take the Vermont Central as far as Twitchell’s Falls and change there for Torpid River Junction, where a spur line takes you right into Gormley. At Gormley you are met by a buckboard which takes you back to Torpid River Junction again.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)