Which neurotransmitter stimulates skeletal muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction?

The neurotransmitter that stimulates skeletal muscle contraction at the neuromuscular junction is acetylcholine. This chemical messenger plays a crucial role in the communication between nerve cells and muscles. When a nerve impulse reaches the neuromuscular junction, acetylcholine is released from the synaptic vesicles of the motor neuron into the synaptic cleft.

Once in the synaptic cleft, acetylcholine binds to specific receptors on the motor end plate of the muscle fiber. This binding causes ion channels to open, leading to an influx of sodium ions into the muscle cell. The resulting change in membrane potential triggers a series of events that ultimately results in muscle contraction.

Understanding the role of acetylcholine in muscle contraction is essential for comprehending how the nervous system controls movement and how various neuromuscular disorders can affect this process.