ATWOOD, Harold L.; University of Toronto: Neuromuscular Junctions and Motor Neurons of Arthropods

Motor neurons of arthropods present combinations of physiological and morphological properties which endow them with unique performance abilities. Within genetically specified limits, adaptive modification of their properties can occur both during development and after maturation. Extreme differences in neuromuscular performance are found among phasic and tonic motor neurons, especially in crustaceans. Analysis of synaptic transmission has led to definition of differences in response properties of synaptic vesicle exocytosis and in releasable synaptic vesicles. The genetically tractable neuromuscular junctions of Drosophila afford opportunities for elucidating the key factors that create synaptic differences.