How does a nerve stimulate a muscle to contract? What occurs in a muscle cell in...

70.2K

Verified Solution

Question

Medical Sciences

How does a nerve stimulate a muscle to contract? What occurs ina muscle cell in order for it to contract.

Answer & Explanation Solved by verified expert

3.7 Ratings (338 Votes)

For a contraction to occur there must first be a stimulation of the muscle in the form of an impulse action potential from a motor neuron nerve that connects to muscle Note that one motor neuron does not stimulate the entire muscle but only a number of muscle fibres within a muscle The individual motor neuron plus the muscle fibres it stimulates is called a motor unit The motor end plate also known as the neuromuscular junction is the junction of the motor neurons axon and the muscle fibres it stimulates When an impulse reaches the muscle fibres of a motor unit it stimulates a reaction in each sarcomere between the actin and myosin filaments This reaction results in the start of a contraction and the sliding filament theory The reaction created from the arrival of See Answer

Get Answers to Unlimited Questions

Join us to gain access to millions of questions and expert answers. Enjoy exclusive benefits tailored just for you!

Membership Benefits:

Unlimited Question Access with detailed Answers
Zin AI - 3 Million Words
10 Dall-E 3 Images
20 Plot Generations
Conversation with Dialogue Memory
No Ads, Ever!
Access to Our Best AI Platform: Flex AI - Your personal assistant for all your inquiries!

Become a Member