The functional connection between a neuron and a muscle cell is called a
A) motor end plate.
B) synaptic cleft.
C) synaptic vesicle.
D) junctional plate.
E) neuromuscular junction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The functional connection between a neuron and a muscle cell is called a neuromuscular junction. This is where the motor neuron releases neurotransmitters (such as acetylcholine) into the synaptic cleft, which then bind to receptors on the motor end plate of the muscle cell, leading to muscle contraction. Synaptic vesicles contain the neurotransmitters that are released into the synaptic cleft, but they are not the functional connection itself. The term junctional plate is not commonly used in reference to neuromuscular junctions.

The Functional Connection Between a Neuron and a Muscle Cell