Contraction Of Skeletal Muscle Flashcards
1
Q
What happens to sarcomeres during muscle contraction?
A
> During muscle contraction, sarcomeres within myofibrils shorten as the Z lines are pulled closer together
2
Q
What are the Z lines?
A
Z lines: attachments for actin filaments
3
Q
Why is ATP needed in muscle contraction?
A
• Energy is needed for the return movement of myosin heads that causes the actin filaments to slide
• The return of calcium ions back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum occurs via active transport
4
Q
What is phosphocreatine and why is it useful?
A
> Phosphocreatine is a molecule stored by muscles that can be used for the rapid production of ATP
> A phosphate ion from phosphocreatine is transferred to ADP
ADP + phosphocreatine → ATP + creatine
