Week 5 - Neural connection to skeletal muscle

Question 1

Nerve cell innervating skeletal muscle

fibres, initiating contraction

Answer 1

Alpha-motor neuron (α-MN)

Question 2

Where is the cell body of an Alpha-motor neuron (α-MN) located

Answer 2

CNS

Question 3

Where is the axon of an Alpha-motor neuron (α-MN) located

Answer 3

PNS

Question 4

What is a motor unit

Answer 4

α-MN and all the muscle fibres it innervates

Question 5

Point of the motor
neuron and muscle
fibers

Answer 5

Neuromuscular Junction

Question 6

Excitation-Contraction Coupling Mechanism (6 steps)

All the sequences of events that triggers a muscle to contract

Answer 6

1. Excitation of a motor nerve
2. Propagation of an action potential
3. Events at the neuromuscular junction and transfer of action potential
4. Calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum
5. Sliding of filaments
6. Muscular contraction