Question

What is motor end plate also known as?

Answer 1

Motor end plate:

1. A motor end plate is a chemical synapse between the terminal part of the motor neuron and the target muscle.
2. Each muscle fiber receives only one motor end plate.
3. The motor end plate is also known as the neuromuscular junction.
4. The neuromuscular junction is the synaptic connection between the terminal part of the axon of the motor neuron and a muscle (skeletal, smooth, and cardiac).

Action:

1. Acetylcholine released from pre-synaptic neurons into the synaptic cleft activates the nicotinic receptors on the motor end plate.
2. Acetylcholine is released in quanta.
3. Due to stimulation, multiple end plate potential is produced which later combines for end plate potential.
4. The motor end plate potential has an amplitude of 0.5 mV.
5. This end plate potential fully activates the sodium channels and causes depolarization.
6. This depolarization will then stimulate the muscles to contract.