Muscles Flashcards
What do muscles act as against an incompressible skeleton (1)
Antagonist pairs
How are skeletal muscles attached to the bone (1)
By tendons
What is a muscle fibre? (3)
Highly specialised
Long thin cells containing several nuclei
Contain a large number of myofibrils
Describe the structure of skeletal muscles (7)
Composed of many muscle fibres bound together by connective tissue
Each muscle fibre is surrounded by a thin cell membrane called a sarcolemma
The cell contains cytoplasm called sarcoplasm
Muscle fibres contain a large number of myofibrils which run parallel to each other throughout the full length of the cell
Each myofibril is surrounded by sarcoplasmic reticulum
Each myofibril is made up of myofilaments, these are divided into thick (myosin) and thin myofilaments (actin)
These myofilaments are arranged into sarcomeres
What does the sarcoplasm contain? (1)
Large number of mitochondria
What are sarcomeres? (1)
Myofilaments arranged into contractile units
What are skeletal muscles often called? (1)
Striated muscles
Describe the sliding filament theory (7)
Ca2+ are released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into sarcoplasm.
Ca2+ diffuse and bind to troponin (changes the tertiary structure) and cause tropomyosin to move exposing the myosin head binding sites on the actin filament
Myosin heads bind to actin binding sites forming cross bridges.
The myosin head “bends” pulling the actin filament a short distance (over the myosin) [POWER STROKE]
ADP & Pi are released from the Myosin head
A new ATP binds to myosin head. This breaks the cross bridge and separates it from the actin. ATP is hydrolysed to ADP and Pi by ATP hydrolase, the energy released re-cocks the myosin head. [RECOVERY STROKE]
The process repeats pulling the actin along the myosin filament a bit more each time.
Describe the role of ATP in muscle contraction (3)
Releases energy for power stroke and recovery stroke
Breaks cross bridge between actin-myosin
Provides energy for active transport of Ca2+ back into sarcoplasmic reticulum
Describe the role of calcium ions in muscle contraction (2)
Binds to troponin - movement of tropomyosin to reveal myosin binding sites on actin
Activates ATP hydrolase
Describe the role of phosphocreatine in muscle contraction (3)
Energy released from hydrolysis of ATP is used in the phosphorylation of ATP
Phosphocreatine provides phosphate to make ATP
Which can then be used in muscle contraction
Where are slow twitch fibres found? (2)
Muscles of the leg
Those involved in maintaining posture
Describe features of slow twitch fibres (9)
Specialised to use aerobic respiration energy system to regenerate ATP. Many large mitochondria to produce ATP
High concentration of myoglobin - acts as oxygen store
Very closely associated with a large number of capillaries, to provide a good oxygen supply.
Less extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum as less calcium ions required at one time.
Less glycogen as glucose broken down fully via aerobic respiration
Smaller in diameter
Less/no stored of phosphocreatine
Describe features of fast twitch muscle fibres (9)
Specialised to use anaerobic respiration energy systems to regenerate ATP. So have fewer, smaller mitochondria.
Low concentration of myoglobin - as primary energy systems are anaerobic.
Fewer capillaries associated with fibres.
Extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum as more calcium ions required at one time for rapid intense contraction.
More glycogen as more glucose required as anaerobic respiration yields less ATP per glucose.
High concentration of enzymes involved in anaerobic respiration which provide ATP rapidly
Larger in diameter
Stores of phosphocreatine
Thicker and more numerous myofilaments
Contrast fast and slow twitch muscle fibres (6)
Slow twitch:
Contract slower
Less powerful contraction over a long period
Suitable sports - in marathons
Location - In human calf due to maintaining posture
Aerobic respiration
Slower fatigue
Fast twitch:
Contract rapidly
More powerful contraction over a long period
Suitable sports - intense exercise (sprint, weight lifting)
Location - short bursts of intense activity e.g. biceps, fine motor movements (eye, hand)
Anaerobic respiration
Faster fatigue