1.2 -- muscles/sliding filament theory (SFT) Flashcards
actin
thin filament of the skeletal muscle
myosin
thick filament of the skeletal muscle
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
main energy source that muscle cells use for most of their work
calcium ions
bind to the protein that blocks the myosin-binding sites on actin. serves as the actual “trigger” for muscle contraction.
troponin
regulatory protein that binds to actin, tropomyosin, & calcium
tropomyosin
covers myosin binding sites on the actin molecules during muscle contraction
neuromuscular junction (NMJ)
synapse between a neuron & a skeletal fiber, ACh goes through this junction to the muscle fiber
sarcoplasmic reticulum
organelle of the muscle fiber that stores calcium & releases it during muscle contraction
t-tubule
a structure that sends the impulse from the receptors to the sarcoplasmic reticulum
motor neuron
a neuron that sends an impulse to a muscle causing it to react
ACh (acetylcholine)
a neurotransmitter that enables muscle action, learning, & memory
sarcomere
contractile unit of a muscle fiber