Botulinum toxin is taken up by axon terminals and inhibits the ability of a motor neuron to stimulate a skeletal muscle motor unit to contract by preventing the release of acetylcholine from the axon terminal. Explain how this prevents skeletal muscle contraction 2. Explain why injecting Botox (derived from botulinum toxin) into a superficial facialmuscle reduces the appearance of deep facial wrinkles called muscle lines Hint: Superficial facial muscles are attached at one end to skin

1. An essential neurotransmitter, which instigates the contraction of muscles by transmitting the nerve impulses towards the neuromuscular junction present at the skeletal muscles is known as acetylcholine. Thus, when the discharging of acetylcholine from the terminals of axons is inhibited by the administration of botulinum toxin, the tendency of the motor neuron to perform the contraction of skeletal muscles also gets prevented.  

2. A neurotoxin generated with the application of botulinum bacterial species is termed as botox. The administration of this botox or botulinum toxin into the superficial facial muscle declines the appearance of muscle lines or deep facial wrinkles, due to this it also has an application as cosmetic medicine.  

The mechanism of the working of this toxin is that it prevents the discharging of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from the axon terminals of the neuromuscular junction present at the skeletal muscles. It temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles and prevents its contraction, which eventually prevents the appearance of wrinkles.