Muscle Physiology

  1. The Neuromuscular Junction
    1. Motor Neuron Components
      1. Cell Body
        1. Axon Structure
          1. Axon Terminal
            1. Myelination
            2. Motor Unit Concept
              1. Components
                1. Functional Significance
                  1. Size Variations
                  2. Structure of the Neuromuscular Junction
                    1. Presynaptic Terminal
                      1. Axon Terminal Structure
                        1. Synaptic Vesicles
                          1. Calcium Channels
                            1. Active Zones
                            2. Synaptic Cleft
                              1. Dimensions
                                1. Composition
                                  1. Basal Lamina
                                  2. Postsynaptic Region
                                    1. Motor End Plate
                                      1. Junctional Folds
                                        1. Acetylcholine Receptors
                                          1. Acetylcholinesterase
                                        2. Acetylcholine System
                                          1. Synthesis of Acetylcholine
                                            1. Choline Acetyltransferase
                                              1. Substrate Requirements
                                              2. Storage in Synaptic Vesicles
                                                1. Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter
                                                  1. Vesicle Recycling
                                                  2. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
                                                    1. Structure
                                                      1. Function
                                                        1. Ion Selectivity
                                                      2. Synaptic Transmission
                                                        1. Arrival of Action Potential
                                                          1. Calcium Influx
                                                            1. Voltage-gated Calcium Channels
                                                              1. Calcium Sensing
                                                              2. Vesicle Fusion and Exocytosis
                                                                1. SNARE Proteins
                                                                  1. Calcium-dependent Release
                                                                  2. Acetylcholine Diffusion
                                                                    1. Receptor Binding
                                                                      1. End-plate Potential Generation
                                                                        1. Ion Flow
                                                                          1. Depolarization
                                                                          2. Muscle Action Potential Initiation
                                                                            1. Threshold
                                                                              1. All-or-None Response
                                                                            2. Signal Termination
                                                                              1. Acetylcholinesterase Function
                                                                                1. Enzymatic Hydrolysis
                                                                                  1. Location and Distribution
                                                                                  2. Acetylcholine Removal
                                                                                    1. Choline Reuptake
                                                                                      1. Choline Transporter
                                                                                        1. Recycling Process
                                                                                      2. Neuromuscular Junction Disorders
                                                                                        1. Myasthenia Gravis
                                                                                          1. Lambert-Eaton Syndrome
                                                                                            1. Botulism
                                                                                              1. Organophosphate Poisoning

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                                                                                            3. The Sarcomere

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                                                                                            5. Excitation-Contraction Coupling