The neurotransmitter ______ stimulates muscle contractions. Multiple choice question.acetylcholinedopaminegamma-aminobutyric acidserotonin

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the function of each neurotransmitter listed.
2. Determine which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with stimulating muscle contractions.

Relevant Concepts

• Acetylcholine (ACh): A neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in muscle contraction by transmitting signals from motor neurons to skeletal muscles.
• Dopamine: Primarily involved in reward, motivation, and motor control, but not directly in stimulating muscle contractions.
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): An inhibitory neurotransmitter that decreases neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system, not involved in muscle contraction.
• Serotonin: Primarily influences mood and emotion, not directly involved in stimulating muscle contractions.

Analysis and Detail

• Acetylcholine is released at the neuromuscular junction, where it binds to receptors on muscle cells and causes them to contract.
• The role of other neurotransmitters in this context is less direct and generally not associated with muscle contraction.

Verify and Summarize

After analyzing each neurotransmitter's function, it is evident that acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contractions.

Final Answer

The neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contractions is acetylcholine.