Module 4 Flashcards
acetylcholine (ACh)
neurotransmitter that binds at a motor end-plate to trigger depolarization
actin
protein that makes up most of the thin myofilaments in a sarcomere muscle fiber
action potential
change in voltage of a cell membrane in response to a stimulus that results in transmission of an electrical signal; unique to neurons and muscle fibres
cardiac muscle
heart muscle, under involuntary control, composed of striated cells that attach to form fibers, each cell contains a single nucleus, contracts autonomously
connective tissue
type of tissue that serves to hold in place, connect, and integrate the body’s organs and systems
contractility
ability to shorten/contract forcibly
depolarize
to reduce the voltage difference between the inside and outside of a cell’s plasma membrane (the sarcolemma for a muscle fiber), making the inside less negative than at rest
elasticity
ability to stretch and rebound
elastic fiber
fibrous protein within connective tissue that contains a high percentage of the protein elastin that allows the fibers to stretch and return to original size
epimysium
outer layer of connective tissue around a skeletal muscle
excitability
ability to undergo neural stimulation
excitation-contraction coupling
sequence of events from motor neuron signaling to a skeletal muscle fiber to contraction of the fiber’s sarcomeres
extensibility
ability to lengthen/extend
histology
microscopic study of tissue architecture, organization, and function
motor end-plate
sarcolemma of muscle fiber at the neuromuscular junction, with receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine
muscle tissue
type of tissue that is capable of contracting and generating tension in response to stimulation; produces movement