1 Neuromuscular Junctions Flashcards
What does MEPP stand for
Miniature End-Plate Potential
the synapse b/w axon of motorneuron and skeletal muscle fiber is called what
neuromuscular junctions or motor end plate
what is another name for neuromuscular junction
motor end plate
What is a MEPP
a muscle cell will spontaneously depolarize even if they were not stimulated.
how much does a MEPP depolarize the postsynaptic membrane
about .4 mV
will a relesase of 1 quanta of ACh generate an action potential?
no
how many ACh are in one quanta?
about 10,000 molecules
When will an EPP be generated by MEPP?
when they are released in synchronisitc fashion - need 125 quanta
when 125 quanta are released due to summation of MEPP what happens
EPP → deplarization at the muscle cell that triggers opening of voltage gated channels for the muscle AP
What does EPP stand for
end-plate potential
EPP is always large enough to do what
initiate action potential on the muscle membrane
What is the EPP
When the motor axon is stimulated, ACh is released from the axon terminal and interacts with the postsynaptic nicotinic receptors to produce an excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) called the end-plate potential (EPP).
EPPs) are the depolarizations of skeletal muscle fibers caused by neurotransmitters binding to the postsynaptic membrane in the neuromuscular junction. They are called “end plates” because the postsynaptic terminals of muscle fibers have a large, saucer-like appearance. (wikipedia)
what is an example of an agent that would block ligand gated channels
curare - it’s a nicotinic antagonist
What is the result of transmitter-gated channels
end plate potential
What is the result of voltage-gated channels
action potential
what produces the end-plate potential
ACh engaging ligand gated nicotinic receptors
how can end plate potential cause APP
the opening of the cation channels from ACh will stimulate opening of voltage sensitive Na+ and K+ channels
What is myasthenia gravis
autoimmune disease
what causes myasthenia gravis
Antibodies directed against AChR receptors destruction of the receptors. Antigen-specific lymphocytes in the thymus recognize and destroy AChR nicotinic receptors.
1) Fatigue, muscle weakness and diminished coordination 2) Blurred or double vision (diplopia) and drooping of one or both eyelids (ptosis) 3) Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and speaking (dysarthria) 4) Bladder dysfunction 5) Sensory disturbances
these are symptoms of what
myasthenia gravis
what is the general affect of myasthenia gravis
muscle weakness or paralysis - b/c neuromuscular junction cannot trasmit signals from nerve fibers to the muscle fiber
what is the EPP of a pt with myasthenia gravis vs. the resto f the population
amplitude of EPP for a pt with myasthenia gravis is much smaller
if myasthenia gravis isn’t properly managed what will pt die from
paralysis - particulary of respiratory muscles
how can you run diagnostics to see if a pt has myasthenia gravis
1) Edrophonium test: a brief improvement of the symptoms. Edrophonium (Tensilon) is a acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that will reduce the muscle weakness by increasing ACh levels at the NM junction.
2) Antibodies against AChR nicotinic receptors in the blood (in 80-90% of the patients)
What is Edrophonium and how is it related to MG
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that will reduce the muscle weakness by increasing ACh levels at the NM junction.
if pt has improvement can point to them having MG
what does MG stand for
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS