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Function at the Junction
Synapses are the points of contact and communication between the 100 billion nerve cells of the brain
and spinal cord. This image shows a neuromuscular junction -- a synapse between a nerve cell of the
spinal cord (gray membrane at top of image) and a muscle cell (convoluted membrane). Molecules of
neurotransmitter (not shown) are released from the nerve membrane and diffuse across the synaptic
space between the nerve and muscle. The neurotransmitter must then bind to receptor molecules in the
muscle membrane (blue, red, green, and yellow objects) before being destroyed by enzymes anchored in
the synaptic space (white and black spheres). If enough receptors are activated (yellow objects) a
further cascade of events is triggered, resulting in contraction of the muscle.
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