FLASHCARDIZZ - Neuromuscular Junction

Front

What initiates skeletal muscle contraction?

Back

Skeletal muscle contraction is initiated when the Motor Neuron sends a message/signal to the muscle cell.

Front

What two chemicals are necessary for muscle contraction?

Back

Calcium ions (Ca++) and Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) are necessary for muscle contraction.

Front

What are the two regulatory proteins attached to actin myofilament?

Back

The two regulatory proteins are troponin and tropomyosin.

Front

What opens to allow ions in during an action potential at the axon terminal?

Back

The calcium gates open to allow calcium ions in when stimulated by an action potential.

Front

What structure stores neurotransmitters?

Back

Synaptic vesicles store neurotransmitters.

Front

What is the role of acetylcholine in muscle contraction?

Back

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that transmits signals from motor neurons to muscle fibers, initiating contraction.

Front

What is the function of troponin in muscle contraction?

Back

Troponin binds to calcium ions and helps regulate the interaction between actin and myosin.

Front

What is the role of tropomyosin in muscle contraction?

Back

Tropomyosin blocks the binding sites on actin filaments, preventing contraction until calcium binds to troponin.

Front

What happens when calcium ions bind to troponin?

Back

When calcium ions bind to troponin, it causes a conformational change that moves tropomyosin away from the binding sites on actin, allowing myosin to bind.

Front

What is the significance of ATP in muscle contraction?

Back

ATP provides the energy required for muscle contraction and is necessary for the detachment of myosin heads from actin.