Muscle Physiology Flashcard

Front

What is the neurotransmitter used at the neuromuscular junction?

Back

Acetylcholine

Front

What is a motor unit composed of?

Back

A motor neuron and the muscle fibers it innervates.

Front

What happens during muscle contraction regarding cross bridges?

Back

The cross bridges form between actin and myosin to shorten the sarcomeres.

Front

Is skeletal muscle control voluntary or involuntary?

Back

Voluntary.

Front

What occurs when a muscle contracts in relation to z-lines?

Back

The distance between z-lines decreases.

Front

Define muscle contraction.

Back

The process where muscle fibers shorten and generate force.

Front

What role does troponin play in muscle contraction?

Back

Troponin helps regulate the interaction between actin and myosin.

Front

What is the function of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction?

Back

It transmits the nerve signal to initiate muscle contraction.

Front

What is the H-zone in muscle fibers?

Back

The H-zone is the region in the sarcomere where only myosin filaments are present.

Front

What is the sliding filament theory?

Back

It explains how muscles contract by the sliding of actin and myosin filaments over each other.