Lecture 6 - Smooth Muscle

Question 0

What are the main functions of smooth muscle?

Answer 0

Regulating blood pressure
Peristalsis
Ciliary muscle in the eye
Piloerection

Question 1

Where is smooth muscle found in the body?

Answer 1

Hollow organs

Blood vessels

Question 2

How much can smooth muscle shorten by?

Answer 2

10fold

Question 3

What are the 4 methods of regulation contraction?

Answer 3

Synaptic outputs
Hormone
Metabolites
Spread of depolarisation from neighbouring cells

Question 4

What are the two different types of smooth muscle?

Answer 4

Multiunit

Unitary

Question 5

What defines multiunit smooth muscle?

Answer 5

Each cell has it’s own neuronary input allowing very high precision

Question 6

What defines unitary smooth muscle?

Answer 6

The muscle cells act in synacitium

Question 7

How is calcium released from the SR?

Answer 7

In response to dHP receptor stimulation

Question 8

What is the difference in the cross bridge cycle of smooth muscle to skeletal muscle?

Answer 8

There is additional control via regulation of ATPase activity of myosin, which is dependent upon phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain

Question 9

What is the latch state?

Answer 9

A state unique to smooth muscle allowing it to maintain a prolonged contraction