Question 1

1. Electrical pliers cause action potential for the nerve. Because the nerve is composed of different neurons, in this case, we suppose that motor neuron will receive the action potential and immediately excite the muscle cells. 2. Action potential propagates through axon of motor neuron into axon terminal. 3. Action potential causes the influx of Ca++ into axon terminal by opening the Ca++ channels. 4. Ca levels increase, leading to the exocytosis of neurotransmitters inside synaptic vesicles. Here is acetylcholine as neurotransmitters. 5. Acetylcholine binds to acetylcholine receptors in the motor endplate of muscle cell, causing Na channels to open. Flows of Na++ into muscle cell generate action potential for the muscle cell. 6. Action potential travels along t-tubules. Sarcoplasmic reticulum next to t-tubules is activated to release Ca++. Ca++ binds to actin (thin filaments) in order to make them unblocked by troponin. Therefore, myosin (thick filaments) can catch actin, generating contraction of muscle.

Question 2
1. The electrical pliers (about 5 10 Volts) cause depolarization of muscle cells directly. Muscle cells now are in action potential state. 2. Action potential state will travel down t-tubules and stimulate the Ca++ release of sarcoplasmic reticulum. Ca++ then does its function in actin, making myosin easily bind to actin and contraction occurs.

Question 3
Of course, the two cases are different in initiation of action potential in muscle cells. One is by motor neurons and transmission through chemical synapses. The second is by electrical pliers directly. However, two cases all cause action potential in muscles and lead to the release of Ca++ from SR.