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Sliding filament theory: A sarcomere in relaxed (above) and contracted (below) positions. The sliding filament theory explains the mechanism of muscle contraction based on muscle proteins that slide past each other to generate movement. [1]
A sarcomere (Greek σάρξ sarx "flesh", μέρος meros "part") is the smallest functional unit of striated muscle tissue. [1] It is the repeating unit between two Z-lines. Skeletal muscles are composed of tubular muscle cells (called muscle fibers or myofibers) which are formed during embryonic myogenesis .
The calcium drives the movement of myosin and actin filaments. The sarcomere then shortens which causes the muscle to contract. [3] In the skeletal muscles connected to tendons that pull on bones, the mysia fuses to the periosteum that coats the bone. Contraction of the muscle will transfer to the mysia, then the tendon and the periosteum ...
The z-line defines the borders of each sarcomere and act as the connection point between the thin filaments. The t-tubules and sarcoplasmic reticulum are used in conjunction to receive and direct the calcium ions and cause contraction. Once contracted, the clear H-zone between the actin filaments disappears as the filaments move towards each other.
The iris dilator and sphincter muscles are contained in the iris and contract in order to dilate or constrict the pupils. The ciliary muscles change the shape of the lens to focus on objects in accommodation. In the skin, smooth muscle cells such as those of the arrector pili cause hair to stand erect in response to cold temperature and fear.
Sliding filament theory: A sarcomere in relaxed (above) and contracted (below) positions. The sliding filament theory describes a process used by muscles to contract. It is a cycle of repetitive events that cause a thin filament to slide over a thick filament and generate tension in the muscle. [22]
ATP is required to reuptake calcium into the sarcomere's sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). When a muscle is relaxed, the myosin heads are returned to their "high energy" position, ready and waiting for a binding site on the actin filament to become available. Because there is no ATP available, previously released calcium ions cannot return to the SR.
The smallest contractile unit in the fiber is called the sarcomere which is a repeating unit within two Z bands. The sarcoplasm also contains glycogen which provides energy to the cell during heightened exercise, and myoglobin , the red pigment that stores oxygen until needed for muscular activity.