Movement Systems Flashcards
1
Q
Excitation-contraction coupling
A
The physiological process of converting a neural impulse into a mechanical response.
2
Q
Action potential
A
An explosion of electrical activity caused by a neural impulse.
3
Q
All-or-none principle
A
The principle stating the strength of a neural electrical signal is independent of the magnitude of the stimulus so long as the neural threshold is achieved.
4
Q
Cardiac muscle tissue
A
Striated involuntary muscle tissue found in the heart.
5
Q
Smooth muscle tissue
A
Muscle tissue in the gut and internal organs that is involuntarily controlled. It does not fatigue easily and does not contact quickly.
6
Q
Skeletal muscle tissue
A
The voluntary muscles attached to bones via tendons (thick fibrous connective tissue) that produces human movement. Contains many nuclei, fatigues easily, and cannot easily sustain prolonged max-effort contractions.
7
Q
Sarcoplasm
A
The cytoplasm of a muscle fiber.
8
Q
Glycogen
A
The stored form of glucose found in the liver and muscles.
9
Q
Myofibrils
A
Parallel filaments that form muscle.
10
Q
Myofilaments
A
The filaments of myofibrils composed of actin and myosin.
11
Q
Actin
A
The thin filaments of muscle myofilaments where myosin bind to contract muscles.
12
Q
Myosin
A
The thick filaments of myofilaments with a fibrous head, neck, and tail that bind to actin.
13
Q
Sarcomere
A
The contractile unit of muscle tissue.
14
Q
Z line
A
The lateral boundary of the sarcomere where the myofilament actin attaches.
15
Q
Organelle
A
Any of a number of organized or specialized structures within a living cell.
16
Q
Endomysium
A
The connective tissue covering each muscle fiber. Also contains capillaries and nerves.
17
Q
Epimysium
A
Fibrous elastic tissue that surrounds a muscle.
18
Q
Fasciculi
A
Bundles of muscle fibers; the singular is “fascicle.”
19
Q
Perimysium
A
The connective tissue that covers a bundle of muscle fibers. 150 individual muscle fibers.
20
Q
Tendons
A
A strong, fibrous cord made of collagen that attaches muscle to bone.
21
Q
Periosteum
A
A dense layer of vascular connective tissue enveloping the bones except at the surfaces of the joints.
22
Q
Neuromuscular junction
A
The space between a motor neuron and muscle fiber.
23
Q
Neurotransmitter
A
A chemical messenger that transmits messages between neurons or from neurons to muscles.
24
Q
Acetylcholine
A
The neurotransmitter released by an action potential at the neuromuscular junction.
25
Sliding-filament theory
The interaction of actin and myosin that describes the process of muscle contraction.
26
Slow-twitch or type I muscle fibers
Slow-twitch, fatigue-resistant muscle fibers with high mitochondrial density.
Ideal for long endurance activities.
Often called oxidative fibers.
High liability to recruitment
27
Mitochondria
An organelle with a double membrane and many folds inside responsible for generating the chemical energy needed for biochemical reactions.
The powerhouse of the cell.
28
Fast-twitch muscle fibers or type II muscle fibers
Fast-twitch fibers contract quickly and with greater force than slow-twitch fibers.
Moderate liability to recruitment
29
Type IIa Fibers
Fast-twitch, moderately fatigable muscle fibers with moderate mitochondrial density.
Derive energy from anaerobic metabolism (energy made without the presence of oxygen), do not require oxygen to function, and are ideal fibers for longer bouts of anaerobic movement
30
Type IIx Fibers
Fast-twitch, fast-fatigable muscle fibers with low mitochondrial density.
Fire with great power and strength.
Lower capillary density.
31
Size principle of fiber recruitment (aka Henneman principle)
Principle stating that motor units are recruited in order according to their recruitment thresholds and firing rates.
32
Fusiform muscle
Spindle-shaped with a large muscle belly like the biceps muscle
33
Convergent muscle (aka triangular muscle)
Broad on one end with fibers converging and narrowing on the other end, like the pectoralis major (chest)
Muscle fibers converging from a broad origin (fixed point where the muscle attaches closest to the torso) to a single tendon of insertion (fixed point where the muscle attaches furthest from the torso).
34
Circular muscle
Surrounds external openings of the body, which are sometimes referred to as sphincters
35
Parallel muscle fibers
Run parallel along the axis of the muscle, like the sartorius, a long muscle in the thigh
36
Pennate muscles
Muscles with fascicles that attach obliquely (diagonally)
37
Penniform muscles
Muscle fibers that run diagonally in respect to the tendon similar to a feather.
38
Unipennate muscle
Muscle fibers extending from one side of a central tendon.
39
Bipennate muscle
Muscle fibers extending from both sides of a central tendon.
40
Multipennate muscle
Muscle fibers extending from both sides of multiple central tendons.
41
Muscle actions
Force production by a muscle that can result in a change of length (i.e., shortening or lengthening) or no length change at all.
42
Concentric muscle action
When the length of a muscle shortens as tension is produced.
43
Eccentric muscle action
When the length of a muscle increases as tension is produced.
44
Isometric muscle action
When the length of a muscle remains constant as tension is produced.
45
Stretch-shortening cycle
The cycling between the eccentric (stretch) action of a muscle and the concentric (shortening) action of the same muscle.
Can be improved by implementing plyometrics.
46
Joint
An articulation between two bones in the body.
47
Bone marrow
The soft, spongelike tissue in the center of most bones containing stem cells of red or white blood cells or platelets.
48
Cancellous bone
The meshwork of spongy tissue (trabeculae) of mature adult bone, typically found at the core of vertebral bones and the ends of the long bones.
Supports shifts in weight distribution
Has open spaces that may house bone marrow
49
Compact bone
A denser material, also known as cortical bone, making up the hard structure of the skeleton.
Made of calcium and minerals.
Can withstand compressive forces.
Fibers are arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
50
Osteogenesis
The process of bone formation or remodeling.
Cells called osteoblasts play a significant role in this process by depositing new bone material.
51
Myositis ossificans
A condition when bone tissue forms within a muscle or other soft tissue as a result of trauma or injury.
52
Cartilage
Firm, flexible connective tissue that pads and protects joints and structural components of the body.
53
Wolff's Law
The explanation for bone adaptations as a result of the loads placed on them.
54
Fibrous joints
Joints with fibrous connective tissue joining two bones that allow for very little movement.
55
Cartilaginous joints
Moderately movable joints made of fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage.
56
Synovial joints
Fluid-filled joints found between bones that move against one another.
57
Non-synovial joints
Joints that lack a fluid junction.
58
Articular capsule
The envelope surrounding a synovial joint.
59
Synovial fluid
A viscous fluid found in the cavities of synovial joints.
60
Arthrokinematics
The broad term meaning joint motion that can be used in reference to all joint motions.
61
Close-packed joint position
The most stable joint position, when the connective tissue is taut and neighboring bones have the most contact.
62
Loose-packed joint position
The less stable joint position represented by any other joint position other than close-packed.
63
Golgi tendon organ
The proprioceptive sensory organ that senses muscle tension in a tendon and inhibits muscle action.
64
Feedback loop
The return of a system’s output as input for a future action.
65
Muscle spindle
The proprioceptive sensory organ that senses muscle stretch in a muscle and promotes muscle action.
66
Ligament
Tough bands of connective tissue made of collagen and elastin connecting bone to bone.
Help prevent excessive movement within a joint.
67
Elastin
A highly elastic connective tissue allowing many tissues to retain their shape.
68
Varus
An abnormal joint movement away from the midline of the body (i.e., bowlegged).
69
Joint capsule
A thin, strong layer of connective tissue containing synovial fluid in freely moving joints.
70
Valgus
An abnormal joint movement toward the midline of the body (i.e., knock-kneed).
71
Periochondrium
The connective tissue enveloping cartilage everywhere except at a joint.
72
Articular cartilage
A form of hyaline cartilage located on the joint surface of bones.
Blocks pain signals and reduces compressive stress.
73
Nociceptors
Pain-sensitive nerve endings.
74
Hyaline cartilage
A transparent cartilage found on most joint surfaces and in the respiratory tract, which contains no nerves or blood vessels.
75
Fibrocartilage
An elastic and tough tissue containing type I and type II collagen.
76
Meniscus
A form of fibrocartilage present in the knee, wrist, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, and temporomandibular joints.
77
Elastic cartilage
Flexible cartilage present in the outer ear, inner ear, and epiglottis.
78
Epiglottis
A piece of elastic cartilage in the throat that opens during breathing and closes during swallowing.
79
Circulatory system
A closed system circulating blood through the body, consisting of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
Facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Transport of nutrients from the digestive system to body tissues and serves as a clearing house for the biochemical waste products resulting from physical activity
80
Closed system
A physical system that does not allow for the movement of matter into or out of the system.
81
Arteries
Blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood away from the heart and to the tissues.
82
Veins
Blood vessels carrying blood toward the heart to remove waste and pick up more oxygen.
83
Capillaries
Fine-branching blood vessels forming a network between the arterioles and venules, where transport of nutrients and oxygen or carbon dioxide occurs on a microscopic scale.
84
Arterioles
The smaller branches of the arteries leading to the capillaries.
85
Venules
The small branches of the veins gathering blood from the capillaries.
86
Atrium
One of the two upper cavities of the heart passing blood to the ventricles. The plural is “atria.”
87
Ventricle
One of the two lower cavities of the heart passing blood to the body or to the lungs.
88
Pulmonary arteries
Blood vessels moving blood from the heart to the lungs.
89
Pulmonary veins
Blood vessels returning oxygenated blood to the heart from the lungs.
90
Aorta
The main artery in the body that supplies oxygenated blood to the circulatory system.
91
Pulmonary circulation
The blood flow between the heart and the lungs.
92
Systemic circulation
The blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body.
93
Superior vena cava
The blood vessel moving blood from the upper body and head to the heart.
94
Inferior vena cava
The blood vessel moving blood from the lower body to the heart.
95
Metabolism
All of the chemical processes that occur in the body to support life including converting food into energy.
96
Atrioventricular (AV) valves (aka tricuspid)
Valves between the atria and ventricles preventing the backward flow of blood during cardiac contractions.
97
Cardiac cycle
The action of the heart from the start of one heartbeat to the beginning of the next.
98
Systole
The heartbeat phase where muscle contraction moves blood from the heart chambers to the arteries.
99
Diastole
The heartbeat phase where the cardiac muscle relaxes and the heart chambers fill with blood.
100
Sinoatrial (SA) node
The pacemaker of the heart that generates the first electrical signal of a heartbeat and stimulates the atria to contract.
101
Atrioventricular (AV) node
The nerve node between the right atrium and right ventricle that propagates the electrical signal from the SA note to more distal heart nerves that cause ventricular contraction.
102
Stroke volume
The amount of blood pumped by the left ventricle of the heart in one contraction.
103
Heart rate
The number of heartbeats per minute.
104
Pulse
A rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them.
105
Blood pressure
The force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries during the two phases of the cardiac cycle.
106
Systolic
The pressure in blood vessels when the heart beats (ventricular contraction).
107
Diastolic
The pressure in blood vessels when the heart rests (ventricular filling).
108
Hypotension
Low blood pressure measuring 90/60 mm Hg or lower.
109
Hypertension
High blood pressure measuring more than 140/90 mm Hg.
110
Cardiac output
How much blood the heart is pumping per minute.
111
Blood volume
The total volume of blood within the circulatory system of an individual.
112
Peripheral resistance
The vascular resistance of the arteries to blood flow.
113
Blood viscosity
The thickness and “stickiness” of blood and how it affects its flow through the blood vessels.
114
Antibodies
Blood proteins that combine with other substances in the body to recognize foreign bodies as part of the immune response.
115
Lymph
The colorless fluid of the lymphatic system.
116
Interstitial fluid
The fluid found between cells.
117
Respiration
The intake of oxygen and subsequent release of carbon dioxide in an organism.
118
Pulmonary ventilation
The process of exchange of air between the lungs and the ambient air.
119
Inspiration
Breathing air into the lungs.
120
Expiration
Breathing air out of the lungs.
121
Diaphragm
The dome-shaped muscle that separates the lungs and pleural cavity from the abdomen.
122
Diffusion
The passive movement of molecules or particles along a concentration gradient or from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration.
123
Thoracic cavity
The chest cavity enclosed by the ribs, sternum, and spinal column.
124
Intra-alveolar pressure
The pressure within the alveoli that changes throughout respiration.
125
External respiration
The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood.
126
Internal respiration
The process of diffusing oxygen from the blood into the interstitial fluid and into the cells.
127
Hormones
Chemical messengers stored, created, and released by endocrine glands.
Made of amino acids, lipids, or peptides (chains of amino acids).
128
Endocrine glands
Ductless glands releasing hormones that remain within the body.
129
Exocrine glands
Glands that produce and release substances through ducts or openings on the body’s surface.
130
Amino acids
Simple organic compounds known as the building blocks of proteins.
131
Steroids
A class of chemicals characterized by their carbon structure, working to reduce inflammation and the activity of the immune system.
132
Electrolytes
Minerals in the body that have an electric charge.
133
Glucose
A simple sugar the body uses for energy production on the cellular level.
134
Insulin
A hormone produced in the pancreas to regulate blood sugar.
135
Testosterone
A steroid hormone found in both males and females.
136
Osteoporosis
A skeletal condition that results in weak or brittle bones.
137
Catabolic
Metabolic activity involving the breakdown of molecules such as proteins or lipids.
138
Protein synthesis
The process of arranging amino acids into protein structures.
139
Anabolic
The process of creating larger molecules from smaller units.
140
Growth hormone
A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth in animal cells.
141
Insulin-like growth factor
A protein similar to insulin that stimulates growth of cells.
142
Cortisol
A catabolic hormone released in response to physical and emotional stress.
143
Ketone bodies
Molecules released by the liver in starvation states for an alternate energy source.
144
Ketosis
A metabolic process that occurs when the body does not have enough carbohydrates for energy; the liver metabolizes fatty acids to produce ketones as a replacement energy source.
145
Catecholamines
Hormones released by the adrenal glands into the blood as a result of stress.
146
Peristalsis
The muscular contractions of the smooth muscle of the digestive tract, which moves food through the digestive tract.
147
Chyme
A pulpy, acidic fluid that moves from the stomach to the small intestines containing partially digested food and gastric juices.
148
Bile
A bitter greenish-brown alkaline fluid aiding digestion, secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder.
149
Salivary amylase
An enzyme found in saliva that converts starches and glycogen to more simple sugars.
150
Integumentary system
Organ system protecting the body; composed of skin, hair, and nails.
151
Epidermis
The outermost layer of the skin.
152
Dermis
Deep to the epidermis; holds blood vessels, sweat glands, and hair follicles.
153
Hypodermis
The deepest layer of skin housing fat cells and connective tissues.
154
