Cover -- Copyright page -- Table of contents -- Contributors -- Preface -- Chapter 1: Introduction on the Use of The Drosophila Embryonic/Larval Neuromuscular Junction As A Model System to Study Synapse Development and Function, and A Brief Summary of Pathfinding and Target Recognition -- I. Introduction -- II. Some History -- III. The Larval NMJ Is Highly Tractable -- IV. Methodology to Study NMJ Development -- V. Pathfinding at the Larval NMJ -- A. The Motor Pathways -- B. Axon Choice Points -- C. Axon Fasciculation -- VI. Synaptic Target Recognition -- A. Targeting Accuracy -- B. Attractant Molecules During Synaptic Target Recognition -- C. Repulsive Molecules During Synaptic Target Recognition -- VII. Dynamics of the Target Muscle -- VIII. Conclusions -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 2: Development and Structure of Motoneurons -- I. Introduction -- II. Development of Motoneurons -- A. Early Specification Programs -- B. Motoneuron Subclasses: Specification of Ventrally Versus Dorsally Projecting Motoneurons -- C. Ventrally Projecting Motoneurons -- D. Dorsally Projecting Motoneurons -- E. Motoneuron Specification Programs Are Conserved -- F. Specification of Unique Motoneuron Identities -- G. From Motoneuron Determinants to Axon Trajectories -- III. Class-Specific Patterns of Axonal Trajectories -- A. Subsets Within the Class of Ventrally Projecting Motoneurons -- B.A Hierarchy of Nerve Branching -- IV. Dendritic Development -- A. Dendrites: Conservation Between Insects and Vertebrates -- B. Organization of the Motor System: Coordinated Patterning of Pre-and Postsynaptic Terminals -- C. Regulation of Dendritic Patterning -- V. Conclusions -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 3: The Development of The Drosophila Larval Body Wall Muscles -- I. Introduction -- II. Muscle Specification -- III. Muscle Identity -- IV. Myoblast Fusion -- V. Muscle Attachment -- VI. Concluding Remarks -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 4: Organization of the Efferent System and Structure of Neuromuscular Junctions In Drosophila -- I. Introduction -- II. General Organization of the Efferent System -- III. Neuromodulation? The Organization of Type-II and Type-III Terminals -- IV. Synaptic Junctions: The Development, Morphology, and Classification of Type-I Terminals -- V. Ultrastructure of Neuromuscular Synapses -- VI. Conclusions -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 5: Development of Motoneuron Electrical Properties and Motor Output -- I. Introduction -- II. Development of Electrical Properties in Motoneurons -- III. Development of Synaptic Connectivity -- IV. Regulation of Membrane Excitability -- V. Regulation of Synaptic Connectivity -- A. Role of the Cell Adhesion Molecule FasciclinII -- B. TGF-beta Retrograde Signaling Strengthens Both Central and Peripheral Synapses -- VI. Summary -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 6: Transmitter Release at the Neuromuscular Junction -- I. Introduction -- II. Physiological Properties of Transmitter Release -- III. Experimental Advantages and Limitations of the Fly NMJ -- A. Ca2+ Measurements -- B. Dye Loading -- C. Alterna.