Describe the major events that occur when a muscle fiber contracts. Include all chemicals, structures and processes at a microscopic level starting at the neuromuscular junction and ending with the relaxation of the muscle fiber

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
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Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
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Describe the major events that occur when a muscle fiber contracts. Include all chemicals, structures and processes at a microscopic level starting at the neuromuscular junction and ending with the relaxation of the muscle fiber

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Step 1Tendons attach skeletal muscles to the bone.

 Numerous bundles which make up the skeletal muscle are called fascicles and each of these is surrounded by perimysium. It is made up of several muscle fibres. These are long, cylindrical, striated fibres with several nuclei. Sarcolemma is the cell membrane and sarcoplasm forms the cytoplasm of a muscle fiber. It contains a modified endoplasmic reticulum known as sarcoplasmic reticulum. Fine thread-like structures within the sarcoplasm are called myofibril which have actin and myosin filaments organized to form sarcomere. 

Step 2The major proteins which are seen associated with the sarcomere are :

 

  • Actin which forms the component of thin filaments.
  • Myosin which forms a part of the thick filaments.
  • Tropomyosin and troponin which binds along the length of actin filaments.
  • Titin is a protein which serves as a molecular spring.
  • Nebulin covers around the thin filament and helps in anchoring to the Z-discs.
  • Myomesin is the myosin binding protein.
  • Alpha actin is  a protein of the Z disc which attaches to actin and titin.
  • CapZ attaches actin to Z disc.
  • Tropomodulin helps in maintaining the length and the stability of the thin filament.
  • Dystrophin links the thin filaments to the integral membrane proteins of the sarcolemma.

The components of the sarcomere are:

  • Z discs are narrow structures which act as a separation between two sarcomeres.
  •  A band is the middle portion of the sarcomere which extends throughout the thick filaments and at the regions where there is overlap between the thick and the thin filaments.
  • The I band  forms the lighter portion of the sarcomere and  contains thin filaments .
  • The H zone is in the center of the sarcomere and contains thick filaments.
  • M line is a region at the center of the H zone and contains myomesin.
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