Comparisons of Different Muscle Types

Question 1

State some characteristics of skeletal muscle

Answer 1

Thin and Thick filaments
Sarcomeres (banding pattern) are present
Transverse tubules

NO Gap junctions between cells

SR activates Ca2+
Fast-Slow contraction speed

Nerve stimulation –> excitation

Question 2

State some characteristics of cardiac muscle

Answer 2

Thin and Thick filaments
Sarcomeres (banding pattern) are present
Transverse tubules

Contains Gap junctions between cells

SR and extracellular site activates Ca2+

Slow contraction speed

Nerve stimulation –> excitation/ inhibition

Question 3

State some characteristics of SINGLE UNIT smooth muscle

Answer 3

Thin and Thick filaments
Sarcomeres (banding pattern) are NOT present
Transverse tubules NOT present

Contains Gap junctions between cells

SR and extracellular site activates Ca2+
Very slow contraction speed

Nerve stimulation –> excitation / inhibition

Question 4

State some characteristics of MULTI UNIT smooth muscle

Answer 4

Thin and Thick filaments
Sarcomeres (banding pattern) are NOT present
Transverse tubules NOT present

Few Gap junctions between cells

SR and extracellular site activates Ca2+
Very slow contraction speed

Nerve stimulation –> excitation / inhibition