action potential

Question

“Therefore, if an action potential happens in a motor neuron, it is always followed by an action potential in the muscle cells it communicates nerve energy to.” Is there any time that this communication doesn’t occur? Please explain your answer and what that muscle would look like.

Answer 1

Yes, there are some exceptions where the muscle fiber would not have an action potential.

The most likely way is if there is a blockade of the nicotinic Acetylcholine receptor. The nAchR antagonist Tubocurare for example will block acetylcholine from transferring the signal from the motor neuron to the muscle fiber. Many muscle relaxant drugs also act at the site of the nAchR.