Final answer:
Motor neurons extend from the spinal cord to the sarcolemma of a skeletal muscle fiber and release acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction to initiate muscle contraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The motor neurons that extend from the spinal cord to the sarcolemma of a skeletal muscle fiber are responsible for initiating muscle contraction. These neurons are part of the somatic nervous system and play a crucial role in voluntary muscle movements.
An action potential travels along these motor neuron axons to the axon terminals, where it reaches the neuromuscular junction. Here, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is released, binds to receptors on the sarcolemma, and triggers depolarization that leads to muscle contraction.