Muscular System Rigor Mortis

Question 1

Define Rigor Mortis:

Answer 1

The hardening of muscles after death

3-4 hours after death, peaks at 12

Question 2

The process of Rigor Mortis:

Answer 2

1. Dying sarcoplasmic ret. releases all of its calcium
2. Calcium binds to troponin
3. Tropomyosin exposes actin’s binding sites
4. ATP causes Myosin to cock its head & bind to ACTIN
   and start the sliding filament model

NO more ATP in body causes muscle to remain contracted until actin/ myosin decay