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Multiple Choice
Each skeletal muscle fiber is controlled by a motor neuron at a single:
A
intercalated disc
B
neuromuscular junction
C
sarcomere
D
myofibril
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the anatomy of a skeletal muscle fiber: Skeletal muscle fibers are long, cylindrical cells that contract to produce movement. Each fiber is controlled by a motor neuron, which sends signals to initiate contraction.
Learn the role of the neuromuscular junction: The neuromuscular junction is the specialized synapse where the motor neuron communicates with the skeletal muscle fiber. It is the site where neurotransmitters like acetylcholine are released to trigger muscle contraction.
Clarify why intercalated discs are not the correct answer: Intercalated discs are structures found in cardiac muscle, not skeletal muscle. They help connect cardiac muscle cells and facilitate synchronized contraction, but they are unrelated to motor neuron control of skeletal muscle fibers.
Understand why sarcomeres and myofibrils are not the correct answer: Sarcomeres are the functional units of muscle contraction within myofibrils, and myofibrils are bundles of protein filaments within muscle fibers. While they are essential for contraction, they are not the site where motor neurons control muscle fibers.
Conclude that the neuromuscular junction is the correct answer: The neuromuscular junction is the only structure listed that directly facilitates communication between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber, making it the correct answer.