Steps Within the Neuromuscular Junction

Step 1

The brain decides to contract a skeletal muscle

Step 2

Motor neurons carry the action potential down the spinal cord to the skeletal muscle

Step 3

The action potential arrives at the neuromuscular junction

Step 4

The action potentail cause the axon terminal to release ACh (Acetylcholine)

Step 5

ACh binds to receptors on the sarcolemma

Step 6

The binding causes the action potential to travel down the sarcolemma

Step 7

The action potential travels down the T-tubules

Step 8

The sarcoplasmic reticulum is stimulated by the action potential and releases calcium ions

Step 9

Calcium ions triggers the muscle fiber to contract