Neuromuscular Junction

Question 1

Which transmitter do all neuromuscular junctions use?

Answer 1

Acetylcholine

Question 2

Name the enzyme which synthesizes Ach?

Answer 2

Cholineacetyl Transferase

Question 3

Name the protein which incorporates Ach into vesicles?

Answer 3

Vesicle Acetylcholine Transporter (VAchT)

Question 4

Where are the SNARE proteins located?

Answer 4

At the ‘Dense bars’ (active zones)

Question 5

Name the three SNARE proteins, and which one in found within the vesicle membrane?

Answer 5

Synaptobrevin (inside vesicle membrane)
Syntaxin
SNAP25

Question 6

How many nicotinic receptors are there per motor end-plate?

Answer 6

15-40 x 10^6

Question 7

How many vesicles are released from the alpha motor neurone per input?

Answer 7

60-200

Question 8

How many Ach molecules are present per vesicle?

Answer 8

10,000

Question 9

What is found in the base of the subjunctional folds within the skeletal muscles?

Answer 9

Voltage gated sodium channels

Question 10

Describe Myasthena Gravis?

Answer 10

A degenerative autoimmune disorder which destroys the nictonic receptors

Question 11

Describe Botulinum Toxin?

Answer 11

Protein made of a heavy chain which allows for protein to bind and enter a neurone, and a light chain which destroys the docking proteins

Question 12

Describe Curare?

Answer 12

An alkaloid poison which acts as a Ach competitive antagonist

Question 13

Ach binds to which sub-unit on the nicotinic receptor?

Answer 13

Alpha sub-unit