Question

Lower motoneurons leave the spinal cord and synapse at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle. What is the function of the neuromuscular junction?

1) To transmit electrical signals from the spinal cord to the muscle fibers
2) To release neurotransmitters that stimulate muscle contraction
3) To provide structural support to the muscle fibers
4) To regulate the flow of blood to the muscle

Answer 1

The function of the neuromuscular junction is to release neurotransmitters that stimulate muscle contraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The function of the neuromuscular junction is to release neurotransmitters that stimulate muscle contraction. When a motor neuron reaches the neuromuscular junction, it releases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine binds to receptors on the sarcolemma of the muscle fiber, opening ligand-gated ion channels and depolarizing the sarcolemma, which initiates muscle contraction.