Chapter 7: The Muscular System Flashcards
Epimysium
outermost layer of collagen fibers that surrounds the entire skeletal muscle
Perimysium
Connective tissue surrounding a fascicle
Fascicle
bundle of muscle fibers
muscle fiber
a single muscle cell
Endomysium
surrounds each muscle fiber; ties adjacent muscle fibers together
sarcolemma
muscle cell membrane
sarcoplasm
cytoplasm of a muscle cell
Transverse tubules (T-tubules)
openings scattered across the surface of the sarcolemma that lead into terminal Cisternae
Important for initiation of excitatory process to release Ca2+
myofibrils
long, cylindrical protein structures that make up muscle fibers; bundles of myofilaments
myofilaments
make up myofibrils; constructed from proteins, principally myosin and actin
sarcoplasmic reticulum
specialized smooth endoplasmic reticulum, releases calcium on demand when the muscle fiber is stimulated to contract
A band
contains thick filaments (myosin)
I band
thin filaments only (actin); shortens during contraction
synaptic cleft
The narrow gap that separates the presynaptic neuron from the postsynaptic cell
motor unit
a motor neuron and all the muscle cells it stimulates
recruitment
the activation of more and more motor units
isotonic contraction
muscle shortens or lengthens because muscle tension exceeds load
-concentric or eccentric
isometric contraction
no shortening; muscle tension increases but does not exceed load
creatine phosphate
energy storage molecule used by muscle tissue; the phosphate from creatine phosphate can be removed and attached to an ADP to generate ATP quickly
Anaerobic
without oxygen; the length of time that muscle contractions can be supported by glycolysis and existing energy reserves of ATP and CP
aerobic
with oxygen; the length of time that a muscle can continue to contract while being supported by mitochondrial activities
terminal cisternae
enlarged areas of the sarcoplasmic reticulum surrounding the transverse tubules; store excess calcium
glycolysis
the breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid
Myoglobin
oxygen-storing, red-pigmented protein in slow-twitch muscle fibers