Muscular System

Question 1

The molecule used to send messages from neurons to muscle cells.

Answer 1

Acetylcholine

Question 2

The enzyme that breaks down the chemical messenger sent between nerve and muscle cells, which ends the signal to contract.

Answer 2

Acetylcholinesterase

Question 3

A change in the electrical charge on a nerve or muscle cell (aka, the nerve impulse).

Answer 3

Action Potential

Question 4

A long fiber that sends an electrical signal from a neuron to another cell.

Answer 4

Axon

Question 5

A swelling at the end of a nerve fiber where the electrical signal is converted into a chemical message.

Answer 5

Axon Terminal

Question 6

The molecule in a membrane that allows ions to cross the membrane, resulting in a change in the electrical properties of the cell.

Answer 6

Channel Protein if always open, Gate Protein if it opens and closes under different conditions.

Question 7

An enlarged portion of sarcoplasmic reticulum which stores calcium.

Answer 7

Cisternae

Question 8

The change from a negative charge to a positive charge in a nerve or muscle cell.

Answer 8

Depolarization

Question 9

A layer of connective tissue surrounding a single muscle cell.

Answer 9

Endomysium

Question 10

A layer of connective tissue surrounding an entire muscle.

Answer 10

Epimysium

Question 11

The process where a nerve impulse is converted into a movement of the muscle.

Answer 11

Excitation-Contraction Coupling

Question 12

The outermost and thickest connective tissue surrounding an entire muscle which separates the muscle from other muscles and attaches it to a bone.

Answer 12

Fascia

Question 13

This is a bundle of muscle cells.

Answer 13

Fascicle

Question 14

A contraction where a muscle stays the same length while generating force.

Answer 14

isometric Contraction

Question 15

A contraction where a muscle applies a constant force while shortening.

Answer 15

Isotonic Contraction

Question 16

The place where a muscle cell receives a chemical message from a nerve cell.

Answer 16

Motor End Plate

Question 17

This is the proper name for a muscle cell.

Answer 17

Muscle Fiber or Myocyte

Question 18

This is a protein in a muscle cell.

Answer 18

Muscle Filament or Myofilament

Question 19

The slight contraction held by muscles due to the random actions of motor units.

Answer 19

Muscle Tone

Question 20

Root word that translates as “muscle.”

Answer 20

Myo

Question 21

This is a group of proteins inside of a muscle cell surrounded by SR.

Answer 21

Myofibril

Question 22

A protein that stores oxygen in muscle cells.

Answer 22

Myoglobin

Question 23

The place where a nerve cell communicates with a muscle cell.

Answer 23

Neuromuscular Junction

Question 24

The chemical messenger released by nerve cells.

Answer 24

Neurotransmitter

Question 25

A layer of connective tissue surrounding a bundle of muscle cells.

Answer 25

Perimysium

Question 26

The molecule in a membrane that gets the message from the chemical messenger released by the neuron.

Answer 26

Receptor Protein

Question 27

An increase in the force of a contraction due to the muscle activating more motor units.

Answer 27

Recruitment

Question 28

The change from a positive charge to a negative charge in a nerve or muscle cell.

Answer 28

Repolarization

Question 29

The normal electrical charge on a nerve or muscle cell.

Answer 29

Resting Potential

Question 30

Root word that translates as “flesh.”

Answer 30

Sarco

Question 31

This is the specialized ER of a muscle cell.

Answer 31

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Question 32

The muscle cell membrane.

Answer 32

Sarcolemma

Question 33

The cytoplasm of a muscle cell.

Answer 33

Sarcoplasm

Question 34

The place where a nerve cell communicates with another cell.

Answer 34

Synapse

Question 35

The gap between a nerve cell and another cell.

Answer 35

Synaptic Cleft

Question 36

A cell with multiple nuclei.

Answer 36

Synctium

Question 37

An increase in the force of a contraction resulting from several quick stimuli arriving while the muscle is still partly contracted.

Answer 37

Temporal Summation or Wave Summation

Question 38

A steady contraction at a constant force resulting from very rapid stimulation of the muscle.

Answer 38

Tetanus

Question 39

The minimum stimulus required to initiate a contraction.

Answer 39

Threshold

Question 40

A pit reaching from the muscle cell membrane deep inside the muscle cell.

Answer 40

Transverse Tubules

Question 41

An increase in the force of a contraction due to the muscle warming up after it relaxes briefly.

Answer 41

Treppe

Question 42

A T-Tubule plus two cisternae associated with it.

Answer 42

Triad

Question 43

Also practice putting the events of a contraction in order!

Answer 43

Study the Muscle Contraction Steps Worksheet!