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1. Rank the sequence of events at the NMJ that initiate an action potential in t

ID: 3513191 • Letter: 1

Question

1. Rank the sequence of events at the NMJ that initiate an action potential in the muscle fiber, from first to last.

- Action potential arrives at the axon terminal.

- Acetylcholine binds to its receptors on the junctional folds.

- Calcium ions enter the axon terminal.

- Synaptic vesicles fuse to membrane of axon terminal.

- Junctional folds become depolarized.

- Action potential is initiated on the sarcolemma.

- Acetylcholine is released into the synaptic cleft.

2. Match term to the appropriate definition.

Terms:

- Acetylcholine

- Synaptic vesicle

- Acetylcholinesterase

- Sodium channel

- Acetylcholine receptor

- Calcium channel

- Synaptic cleft

Definitions:

- Neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscle contraction.

- Membranous sac located in the axon terminal that contains neurotransmitter.

- Enzyme located in the synaptic cleft that breaks down acetylcholine.

- A type of voltage-gated ion channel located on the axon terminal.

- The space between the axon terminal and junctional folds.

- A type of voltage-gated ion channel located on the sarcolemma of the muscle fiber.

- A type of chemically-gated ion channel located on the junctional folds of the muscle fiber.

Explanation / Answer

1. Action potential arrives at the axon terminal --->Calcium ions enter the axon terminal ---> Synaptic vesicles fuse to membrane of axon terminal --->Acetylcholine is released into the synaptic cleft ----> Acetylcholine binds to its receptors on the junctional folds ---> Junctional folds become depolarized ---> Action potential is initiated on the sarcolemma.

2. Acetylcholine - Neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscle contraction.

Synaptic vesicle - Membranous sac located in the axon terminal that contains neurotransmitter.

Acetylcholinesterase - Enzyme located in the synaptic cleft that breaks down acetylcholine.

Calcium channel - A type of chemically-gated ion channel located on the junctional folds of the muscle fiber.

Sodium channel - A type of voltage-gated ion channel located on the sarcolemma of the muscle fiber.

Synaptic cleft - The space between the axon terminal and junctional folds.