The ability to increase intracellular calcium by 500-1000 fold for neurotransmitter release to occur

It can/will block the terminal voltage-gated calcium channels

The binding of acetylcholine vesicles to the SNARE complex

The ability for acetylcholine vesicles to be docked at the active zone

The ability of acetylcholine to attach to a receptor on the post-synaptic cleft

Vesicles can fuse rapidly to the terminal membrane.

Otherwise AChE would degrade the Ca⁺⁺.

ACh can diffuse rapidly across the synaptic cleft.

Ca⁺⁺ facilitates ACh entry into vesicles

Synaptic vesicles are pre-docked to take advantage of the brief period of Ca⁺⁺ entry

D and E

A, D and E

B and A

A and C

B and D

diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to acetylcholine receptors on the post synaptic muscle fibre

diffuses across the synaptic cleft and causes sodium ions to diffuse out of the post synaptic muscle fibre

 is actively transported across the synaptic cleft and binds to acetylcholine receptors on the post synaptic muscle fibre

is actively transported across the synaptic cleft and causes calcium ions to diffuse into the post synaptic muscle fibre

 diffuses across the synaptic cleft and causes calcium ions to diffuse into the post synaptic muscle fibre

D

A

C

E

B

Electrotonic flow of current from terminal to endplate allows the muscle to produce an end plate potential

Ca⁺⁺ is released inside of the muscle fibre because of Na⁺ and K⁺ entry

Vesicles fuse with the membrane and ACh is released into the synaptic cleft

Vesicles fuse with the terminal membrane and ACh esterease is released into the synaptic cleft

Ca⁺⁺ enters the terminal membrane allowing ACh receptors to fuse with the membrane

Nicotinic ACh receptors

Beta Noradrenergic receptors

Muscarinic ACh receptors

Alpha and Beta Noradrenergic receptors

Alpha Noradrenergic receptors

Ca⁺⁺ is released from vesicles located in the motor nerve terminal

Re-uptake of acetylcholine into the motor nerve terminal terminates the action of this transmitter

There is a decrease in the permeability of the motor end plate membrane to Ca++.

Acetylcholinesterase depolarises the muscle membrane adjacent to the motor end plate

Acetylcholine binds to receptors on the motor end plate membrane

The Sympathetic NS post-ganglionc synapse

The Sympathetic NS pre-ganglionc synapse

The Parasympathetic NS post-ganglionc synapse

The synapse with skeletal muscle

The Parasympathetic NS pre-ganglionc synapse