Muscle anatomy and function Flashcards
Myofibril
A cylindrical organelle running the length of the muscle fibre, containing actin and myosin filaments.
Sarcomere
The contractile unit of the myofibril, divided into I, A and H bands.
What proteins does the myofibril contain?
Myosin
Actin
Actin
A thin, contractile protein filament containing ‘active’ or ‘binding’ sites.
- They overlap the myosin filaments
Myosin
A thick contractile protein filament with protrusions known as myosin heads.
What band does myosin appear on?
- It appears as a dark band
- ‘H’ band
What band does actin appear on?
- It appears as a light band
- ‘I’ band
What is it at the end of each sarcomere?
Z line- actin is attatched to the z line
Sarcomeres are joined together lengthways at the z line.
What region is the middle of the sarcomere?
M line
What does the A band refer to?
The dark A band identifies where both actin and myosin exist
What is the cell membrane of muscle cells called?
Sarcolemma
What is the cytoplasm of muscle cells called?
Sarcoplasm
How are the transverse (T) tubules created and what do they do?
- Sarcolemma folds into the sarcoplasm
- Help to spread electrical impulses throughout the cell by passing message to sarcoplasmic reticulum to release calcium ions.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum
- They store calcium ions which causes contraction
- Each myofibril is enveloped in it
What is skeletal muscle fibre also known as?
Striated
How many actin filaments surround 1 myosin filament?
6
What is the name of the nerve that stimulates a muscle to contract by carrying nerve impulses?
Motor neurone which controls a number of muscle fibres
What is sliding filament theory?
- It explains the sequence of events leading up to skeletal muscle contraction.
What happens during muscle contraction?
The thin actin filaments slide inwards over the thicker myosin filaments causing a shortening of each sarcomere along the entire length of the myofibril.
What happens to the H zone during the sarcomeres contracted state?
It disappears