Module 1 Cells and Tissue Flashcards
(191 cards)
What are the three types of muscle tissue?
Skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle
What percentage of body mass is muscle tissue?
Approximately 50%
What are the key characteristics of skeletal muscle? (ie, structure ((1 word)), control, attachment)
Striated, voluntary control, attached to bones by tendons
What distinguishes cardiac muscle?
Branched cells, intercalated discs, single central nucleus, involuntary
What makes smooth muscle unique?
Non-striated, involuntary, located in hollow internal structures
(eg: intestines), short, small, spindle shaped; single cell nucleus
What are myofibrils?
Tubular structures inside muscle cells containing contractile proteins
What are the two types of myofilaments and what proteins are they made of?
Thin filaments (actin) and thick filaments (myosin)
What is a sarcomere?
The basic functional unit of muscle, defined by Z discs, a small section of a myofibril
What are the key components of a sarcomere?
A band, I band, H zone, M line, Z discs
How do muscles contract at the molecular level?
Sliding of actin and myosin filaments, shortening the sarcomere
What happens to the I band during muscle contraction?
It becomes smaller as filaments overlap
What is the role of ATP in muscle contraction?
Converts energy to generate force and initiate movement
What is the smallest muscle in the body?
Stapedius, located in the ear, about 1 millimeter long
What is the longest muscle in the body?
Sartorius, running from the front of the hip to the top of the tibia
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
Central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system
What are the three key activities of the nervous system?
Sensory input, information integration, and motor output
What are the main responsibilities of the nervous system?
Homeostasis, involuntary actions, perception, behavior, and movement
What are multi-polar neurons? (and what is their main function?)
Neurons with two or more dendrites and a single axon, control skeletal muscles
What characterizes bipolar neurons?
One dendrite and one axon, involved in special sensory functions
What defines unipolar neurons?
Single dendrite merging into an axon, often found in sensory nerves
What makes multipolar neurons unique?
No clear distinction between dendrites and axons, possibly for cross-communication
What are astrocytes?
Most numerous neuroglia cells, support neurons, regulate neural environment, star-shaped and apart of the Syncytium system (multi-nuclei system). Maintains blood-brain barrier via endothelium, influencing their permeability.
What is the primary function of oligodendrocytes?
Provide insulation to neurons in the central nervous system, protecting and maintaining myelin sheath. Which in turn insulates axons and promotes rapid electrical signal transmission
What role do microglia play?
Act as macrophages, removing debris in the central nervous system