Smooth muscle Flashcards
where is smooth muscle found
in organs - line the cavities of hollow organs
how are smooth muscle controlled
the autonomic muscle system, connected electrically and mechanically
what type of contractions do smooth muscles do
slow and long lasting
name some anatomical properties of smooth muscle
no sarcomere arrangement, actin and myosin in lattice. actin filaments attach to the cell via dense bodies, myosin floats around
how is smooth muscle activated
neurotransmitter released non specifically from varicosities
where is single unit smooth found
blood, vessels, intestines, uterus
where is multi-unit smooth muscle found
Lungs, airways, large arteries
discuss the contractile properties of smooth muscle
no sarcomere arrangement means that the myosin and actin can slide past each other without encountering the end of the sarcomere. less myosin, more actin. contraction is not all or nothing.
role of calcium in smooth muscle
no troponin, actin binding sites are always available, actin acts on the thick filaments
