Muscle Flashcards
What are the components of a muscle from smallest to largest?
myofilaments -> myofibrils -> muscle fiber (cell) -> fascicle -> whole muscle
What is the function of tropomyosin?
To block the binding sites on actin when the muscle is resting
Which protein makes up thick filaments?
myosin
What are 3 parts of myosin?
Actin binding side, hinge region, ATPase binding site
What is elastic filament made of?
titin (connectin)
What is the purpose of elastic filament?
it holds the thick filament in position and helps to prevent sarcomeres from pulling apart when they shorten during contraction
Where do sarcomeres begin and end?
from Z disc to Z disc
What covers the active site of each globular actin protein?
tropomyosin
How do calcium ions activate myosin?
Calcium ions activate myosin by binding to troponin.
What are the 4 steps of muscle contraction, in order?
- cross bridge formation
- the power stroke
- cross bridge detachment
- resetting the system
What are 4 functional properties of muscle tissue?
- Excitability
- Contractility
- Extensibility
- Elasticity
What is the cause of atrophy?
prolonged inactivity due to bed rest, casting or local nerve damage
What is the cause of muscle cramps?
- circulatory impairment
- heat disorders which lead to electrolyte disorders
- diuretic intake
- unknown causes
What is the cause of muscular dystrophy?
- X linked recessive disorder in 1/2 of all cases
- defective gene for dystrophin causing dystrophin to be absent or abnormal
What is the cause of myasthenia gravis?
- defective transmission at the neuromuscular junction due to a reduction in the number of Ach receptors
What are the characteristics of myasthenia gravis?
fatigue, chronic respiratory infections, and muscle weakness
What are the characteristics of muscle cramps?
sustained involuntary contractions of a skeletal muscle
What are the characteristics of muscular dystrophy?
- a reduction in the number of muscle fibers and necrosis and replacement with endomysial CT and fat
- delayed sitting/walking/standing
- progressive weakness in the shoulder and pelvic girdles
What are the characteristics of disuse atrophy?
shortening of muscle fibers and decrease in muscle mass/size
What factors influence muscle contractile force?
- The rate (frequency) of stimulation,
- The number of motor units recruited
- The starting length of the sarcomere (degree of stretch)
What factors influence muscle contractile velocity?
- the load
- muscle fiber type
- the number of motor units contracting
The most common lever systems in the body are those that have the applied force between the fulcrum and the resistance. These are called __________ levers.
Third-class
Most skeletal muscles of the body act as _______-class lever systems.
third-class