Physiology 2 Flashcards
what does gradation of skeletal muscle tension depend on?
number of fibres contracting in the muscle
tension developed by each contracting fibre
what contributes to the number of muscle fibres contracting?
motor unit structure
motor unit recruitment
how is muscle fatigue prevented in submaximal contraction?
asynchronous motor unit recruitment
what contributes to the tension developed by each fibre?
frequency of stimulation
summation of contractions
length of fibre at onset of contraction
thickness of fibre
describe 3 types of twitching?
single twitch (not useful, weak)
twitch summation
Tetanus (smooth, sustained contraction)
how does twitching differ in cardiac muscle?
tetanus cannot occur in cardiac muscle due to the long refractory period, so another AP cannot act until muscle is relaxed
how does frequency of stimulation affect tension developed by skeletal muscle?
increased frequency = increased tension
when does maximal tetanic contraction occur?
when muscle is at optimum length (Lo)under resting conditions (not shortened or too stretched)
means optimum overlap between actin and myosin so most cross bridges can form
why is stretched muscle not effective?
actin and myosin don’t overlap so corss bridges cant form between them as they cant reach
is the resting length of a skeletal muscle the same as its optimal length?
yes
what are the 2 types of skeletal muscle contraction?
isotonic
isometric
what is isotonic contraction?
muscle tension remains constant as the muscle length changes
- body movements
- moving objects
what is isometric contraction?
muscle tension changes as muscle length stays constant
- supporting objects in fixed positions
- maintaining body posture
how is muscle tension transmitted to bone?
via elastic component of muscle
how does load affect velocity of muscle shortening?
larger load (heavier object) = slower velocity of shortening
what are the main differences between diiferent types of skeletal muscle fibres?
- enzymatic pathways for ATP synthesis (some produce more than others)
- the resistance to fatigue (amount of ATP synthesis dependant)
- activity of myosin ATPase (determines speed at which ATP is broken down and energy made available - speed of contraction)
are all muscle fibres in a whole muscle the same?
no
usually the same in one motor unit
what is the main method of ATP production in skeletal muscle?
oxidative phosphorylation - main source when oxygen present
anaerobic glycolysis - main source when lacking in oxygen
transfer of high energy phosphate from creatine phosphate to ADP (immediate source)
what are the 3 types of skeletal muscle fibres?
slow oxidative (type 1) fast oxidative (type 2a) fast glycolytic (type 2x)
type 1?
used for prolonged, low work aerobic activities (maintaining posture, walking)
- low myosin ATPase activity
- high oxidative phosphorylation
- low anaerobic glycolysis