Skeletal Muscle Anatomy

Front

What is a triad in skeletal muscle anatomy?

Back

A triad is composed of two terminal cisternae sandwiching around a transverse tubule.

Front

What are the bundles of muscle cells in skeletal muscle called?

Back

Fascicles.

Front

What does NMJ stand for and what does it connect?

Back

NMJ stands for Neuromuscular Junction, which is a junction between a motor neuron and a muscle cell.

Front

Why are muscles considered elastic?

Back

Muscles are elastic because they can stretch beyond their resting length.

Front

What is muscle hypertrophy?

Back

Muscle hypertrophy is the growth of muscle tissue, which occurs due to an increase in the number of myofilaments.

Front

What role do terminal cisternae play in muscle contraction?

Back

Terminal cisternae store calcium ions, which are released during muscle contraction.

Front

What is the function of transverse tubules in skeletal muscle?

Back

Transverse tubules conduct electrical impulses deep into the muscle fiber, facilitating rapid contraction.

Front

What is the significance of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells?

Back

The sarcoplasmic reticulum stores calcium ions and releases them during muscle contraction.

Front

How does muscle training affect muscle fibers?

Back

Muscle training leads to hypertrophy, increasing the size and strength of muscle fibers.

Front

What is the difference between myofibrils and myofilaments?

Back

Myofibrils are long, thread-like structures made up of myofilaments, which are the actual contractile proteins (actin and myosin) within the myofibrils.