Muscle Mechanics Flashcards

1
Q

What is an isometric contraction?

A

When muscle is fixed at both ends to that it is unable to shorten.

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2
Q

What is the latent period in muscle contraction?

A

The time delay between the stimulus and the first recorded tension increase (length will vary based on fiber type).

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3
Q

What is mechanical summation?

A

If a second stimulus is applied to a muscle before it has relaxed completely, the resulting contraction will be greater than the first.

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4
Q

What is a tetanic contraction (“fused tetanus”)?

A

With a high frequency of stimuli, a sufficiently high fusion frequency can be reached resulting in a smooth and sustained contraction with a peak tension of 3 or 4x an individual twitch. This is the MAXIMUM force a muscle can develop.

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5
Q

Do muscle fibers have elasticity even when 100% extended/under tetanic tetany?

A

Yes

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6
Q

What does titin do?

A

Links thick filaments to the Z-band. Major source of passive elasticity.

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7
Q

What happens in terms of tension when relaxed muscles are extended?

A

Rise in passive tension

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8
Q

What is stress relaxation?

A

When a relaxed muscle is elongated there is a quick rise in passive tension, but given time the initial tension decreases exponentially with time to a lower stable value. Thus, extensible elements in muscle are visco-elastic.

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9
Q

What muscle type shows the greatest stress relaxation? Which the least?

A
Most = smooth
Least = cardiac
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10
Q

What is the maximum active isometric force a sum of?

A

Passive tension in muscle prior to stimulation and active tension developed when crossbridges start cycling.

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11
Q

What is the “rest length” of a muscle?

A

Paradoxically, it is the length at which maximum active tetanic tension can be generated.

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12
Q

At rest, the tension is not due to SEC (which is not active), but rather the _____.

A

PEC from the recoil force of titin (aka preload)

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13
Q

When does maximum tension occur?

A

When there is optimal/complete overlap of actin and myosin filaments.

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14
Q

Resting tension is greater in _____ muscle.

A

Cardiac

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15
Q

Smooth muscle is able to function over _____ range of tension than skeletal muscle. What is the significance of this?

A

Wider range. Smooth muscle surrounds hollow organs and thus may experience large changes in volume.

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16
Q

How does the latent period change when lifting a larger load?

A

Latent period will increase with load increase due to the greater time it takes to build up isometric tension equal to the weight of the load.

17
Q

What is an isotonic contraction?

A

When the tension in the muscle is constant and equals the load and it shortens at a constant velocity while bearing the load.

18
Q

What transphosphorylating enzyme keeps creatine phosphate and ATP in equilibrium?

A

Creatine phosphokinase

19
Q

What is the Lohmann reaction?

A

PCr + ADP -> ATP + Cr

20
Q

For sustained contractions, what substrates do muscles use to generate ATP if sufficient O2? If insufficient O2

A

FFAs
Glucose
AAs

via glycolysis.

Insufficient O2 will lead to anaerobic glycolysis.

21
Q

What does adenylate kinase (myokinase) do?

A

Converts 2 ADP to ATP + AMP if ADP levels rise

22
Q

How is muscle fatigue/ATP conservation achieved?

A

Decreased release of Ca2+ from the SR inhibits crossbridge cycling

23
Q

What “tells” the cell that significant ATP hydrolysis is occurring?

A

As ATP levels fall, Mg2+ will be an unbound free cation (MG2+ has a high affinity for ATP) and end up in the cytoplasm. This along with Pi levels contribute to the fall in maximum tension capability.

24
Q

Rising free Mg2+ levels lead to what?

A

Decreased Ca2+ release and RyR is most likely to be closed

25
Q

In addition to Mg, what are 2 other protective measure/indicators?

A

Excessive extracellular K+ brings the resting potential closer to zero (paradoxically) but leads to less activation of Na+ channels thus decreasing the amplitude of the AP.

Cl- conductance inside the cella re greater than normal. Together with K+ it counteracts the Na+ current.

26
Q

What does preload refer to and what “causes it”?

A

Passive tension in the muscle, largely due to titin

27
Q

In a fast fiber, calcium is reqsequestered ______.

A

Rapidly

28
Q

Does calcium explain the difference between twitch and tetanic contraction?

A

No! They both release the same amount of calcium. No the series elastic component (SEC) just doesn’t have time to reach maximum in the twitch.

29
Q

Is there any tension in SEC at rest?

A

No! Only activated upon active tension

30
Q

What 3 changes result from increasing load?

A
  1. Increase latent period (time between first muscle activation and when the load lifts off)
  2. Increase in extent of shortening
  3. Decrease in velocity of shortening