Final answer:
Ernie had small Miniature Endplate Potentials (MEPPs) due to the neuromuscular disease affecting muscle function and neurotransmitter release.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ernie, who had neuromuscular disease, had small Miniature Endplate Potential (MEPP) because neuromuscular diseases, like muscular dystrophy, can cause muscle weakness and atrophy. MEPPs are small, spontaneous electrical events that occur at the neuromuscular junction, where nerve signals are transmitted to the muscle fibers.
In neuromuscular diseases, the muscle fibers might be affected, leading to a decrease in neurotransmitter release at the neuromuscular junction. This can result in smaller MEPPs as there is less neurotransmitter available to produce the electrical events.
Overall, the reduced size of MEPPs in Ernie's case can be attributed to the impact of the neuromuscular disease on muscle function and neurotransmitter release.
Ernie, who had a neuromuscular disease, likely experienced small Miniature Endplate Potential (MEPPs) because neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy can damage or alter the neuromuscular junction. The neuromuscular junction is where the nerve cells communicate with the muscles they control, and MEPPs are the small electrical signals that reflect the release of neurotransmitters from the nerve ending to the muscle. In muscular dystrophy, the structure and function of the neuromuscular junction can be impaired, leading to a reduction in the amount of neurotransmitter released and hence smaller MEPPs.
The neuromuscular junction is crucial for muscle contraction, and the impairment caused by diseases such as muscular dystrophy can influence the strength and size of muscle response. Therefore, Ernie's smaller MEPPs are indicative of the compromised ability of his neuromuscular system to communicate effectively, leading to decreased muscle function and strength associated with his condition.