Conclusion

The model shows the action potential of a motor neuron conducting an impulse through the axon arriving at the axon terminal, causing the release of neurotransmitters (acetycholine) to cross the synaptic cleft and diffuse through the muscle membrane. The action potential is then carried through the T-tubule membrane and through the sarcoplasmic reticulum releasing calcium that creates muscle contraction within the sarcomere. This is where the actual contraction takes place. The released calcium combines with the troponin opening a site for the myosin to bind with actin. The strand of actin is pulled toward the center like a rubber band contracting. This is done by a walking action from the head of the myosin strand forming cross bridges.

The result of putting together the parts surely helped to answer so questions and filled in parts of the puzzle. Part of the challenge was finding a scale where everything might fit together. I enjoyed the project and have  a better understanding of how these processes come together.