So, the main path this system goes is from the motor neuron into the
synaptic cleft and eventually at the skeletal muscle cell. The whole process
starts when the Calcium gets released from the cells at the motor neuron.
The high concentration of the Calcium starts the pumps that release the
neurotransmitters through the process called exocytosis. Then, the
neurotransmitter exits the motor neuron and goes into the synaptic cleft
where it makes its way to the postsynaptic membrane. The neurotransmitter
which takes action in the muscle system is called acetylcholine and its being
secreted by somatic motor neurons at the end of the axon.
The acetylcholine goes into the synaptic cleft and passes the path to the
postsynaptic membrane or the motor end plate which contains lots of
receptors that use a lock-and-key mechanism. The acetylcholine perfectly
suits the shape of the receptors, activates it and leads to a new process.
Then the sodium pump gets activated where the ions go to the muscle cell.
At the same time, the potassium ions diffuse from the muscle cells. Since the
sodium level is higher than the potassium level, the membrane of the
muscle gets depolarized since it has more positive ions. This causes the
muscle contraction and it is called action potential.
Right after the contraction, the Calcium gets back to its levels, the sodium
drops, and the potassium rises. This repolarizes the membrane which gets
back to being negative again. This process gets repeated constantly.
The acetylcholine is being catalyzed into an acetate and choline by
acetylcholinesterase which is the enzyme that breaks down the
neurotransmitter and it is responsible for level changes of this substance.
The products of the acetylcholine breakage go back to synaptic cleft where
they are reused again and this process is called active reuptake.
Isaacs Syndrome