Sensorimotor System Flashcards
Neuromuscular Junction Excitation-Contraction Coupling Bridge Cycle (5 cards)
Describe the events that occur at the neuromuscular junction.
ACh is released from the presynaptic terminal, leading to depolarization of the muscle cell, which spreads to adjacent areas of the sarcolemma and triggers an action potential that results in muscle contraction.
Define the cross bridge cycle in muscle contraction.
The cross bridge cycle refers to the series of events that occur when myosin heads attach to actin filaments, pull them, and then detach, allowing for muscle contraction.
How does an action potential propagate in a skeletal muscle fiber?
An action potential propagates along the sarcolemma and down the T-tubules, leading to the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and initiating muscle contraction.
Explain the process of excitation-contraction coupling in skeletal muscle.
Excitation-contraction coupling involves the conversion of an electrical signal (action potential) into a mechanical response (muscle contraction) through the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Do the events at the neuromuscular junction influence muscle contraction?
Yes, the release of ACh and subsequent depolarization of the muscle cell are critical for initiating the action potential that triggers muscle contraction.
