Muscles & Muscle Contraction

Front

What is the sarcoplasmic reticulum?

Back

The sarcoplasmic reticulum is a specialized endoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells that stores calcium ions, which are essential for muscle contraction.

Front

What is the order of muscle structure from largest to smallest?

Back

muscle, muscle fascicle, muscle cell, myofibril, filaments

Front

What are myofibrils?

Back

Myofibrils are long, thread-like structures found in muscle cells that contain the contractile proteins actin and myosin.

Front

What is a sarcomere?

Back

A sarcomere is the basic contractile unit of muscle tissue, defined as the segment between two Z-lines.

Front

What is a tendon?

Back

A tendon is a strong connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Front

What is the role of actin in muscle contraction?

Back

Actin is a thin filament that interacts with myosin to facilitate muscle contraction.

Front

What is the role of myosin in muscle contraction?

Back

Myosin is a thick filament that interacts with actin to produce muscle contraction through a sliding filament mechanism.

Front

What are transverse tubules?

Back

Transverse tubules are extensions of the sarcolemma that penetrate into the muscle cell, helping to transmit the action potential deep into the muscle fiber.

Front

What is the function of the sarcolemma?

Back

The sarcolemma is the cell membrane of a muscle cell that surrounds the muscle fiber and helps to conduct electrical impulses.

Front

What is a muscle fascicle?

Back

A muscle fascicle is a bundle of muscle fibers (cells) surrounded by connective tissue.