The primary resource we were given, Neuromuscular Synapse, was written by David S. Goodsell. In his paper, he provides a colorized, detailed illustration of a neuromuscular synapse. To accompany his image, he provides details on how and why he chose to represent the different structures within the cell. In the illustration, the junction is between the axon of a motor neuron. In the presynaptic neuron, vesicles carrying acetylcholine (neurotransmitters) travel towards the presynaptic neuron membrane. The vesicles move around with the help of synaptobrevin proteins. Once the vesicle is docked, it intertwines with syntaxin and Snap25 proteins and fuses with the membrane. Once docked and fused with the presynaptic neuron membrane, the vesicle releases the acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft. The presynaptic active zone is filled with proteins and is inside the nerve terminal. In this region there are hundreds of proteins that are inside the axon membrane. These proteins bring vesicles to the surface and facilitate their fusion the membrane and release. A large amount of the proteins in the presynaptic active zone mainly just move the vesicles to the area of fusion. The acetylcholine travels into the protein rich synaptic cleft after leaving the presynaptic neuron. Synaptic basal lamina are a matrix like structure that organizes and maintain presynaptic and postsynaptic interactions and promotes robust neurotransmission. The process of neurotransmission includes acetylcholine traveling through the synaptic cleft to the acetylcholine receptors located on the membrane of the postsynaptic cell. Once the information is passed on the acetylcholine receptor releases the acetylcholine back into the synaptic cleft. Then the acetylcholinerase breaks down the acetylcholine.
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AuthorAllan Kalapura. Holland Hall class of 2019. Archives
November 2018
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