In: Anatomy and Physiology
.Discuss conduction of an impulse along a polarized nerve and transmission from and integrative neuron to a muscle fiber.
Sequence of events at neuromuscular junction during nerve impulse transmission -
As the nerve impulse (action potential) travels along the nerve and finally reaches the presynaptic nerve ending. Neurotransmitters are present in the synaptic vesicles in presynaptic ending.. As the action potential reaches the nerve ending, neurotransmitters like acetylcholine are released into synaptic cleft . Acetylcholine after its release,diffuses into post synaptic membrane i.e into motor end plate.Acetylcholine attaches to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the motor end plate and increases the permeability of motor end plate to the sodium ions and other positive ions.Increased permeability of sodium ions causes depolarization of the post synaptic membrane causing generation of the local potential called end plate potential. Thus potential sets up a propagated muscle action potential which travel along the muscle membrane. Once it reaches inside the muscle fibre then the muscle gives mechanical response by contraction.