Vascular Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells

Question 1

Smooth muscle structure

Answer 1

Thick (myosin) and thin (actin) filaments

interaction causes smooth muscle contraction

Question 2

Slow but sustained contraction

Answer 2

many arterioles/arteries maitain a state of partial contraction

Dilation reduces this tone

Question 3

Chemical components that can influence smooth muscle contractile activity

Answer 3

Paracrine agents, acids, O2, osolarity, ion conc

Question 4

Molecular events that couple the plasma located receptors to sliding of myofilaments in cytosol of smooth muscle

Answer 4

excitation contraction coupling mechanisms

Question 5

NE effect on calcium sensitivity

Answer 5

Activates PKC (via DAG)

this phosphorylates many auxillary proteins, leading to calcium sensitivity