Describe the 3 types of muscle tissue.
- skeletal muscle - striated, voluntary
- cardiac muscle - striated, involuntary
- smooth muscle - non-striated, involuntary
Name the three principle functions of skeletal muscle.
- movement of the body and/or its parts
- posture
- heat production
What is the difference between the origin and insertion of skeletal muscle?
The origin is the stationary (more fixed) end and the insertion is the more moveable end.
Describe the functional unit of muscle.
- long multinucleate cells = muscle fibre
- contains myofibrils made up of actin and myosin filaments
Name the four types of muscle shapes.
- circular
- parallel
- pennate
- convergent
Describe the features of fibrous connective tissue.
- surround bundles of contractile cells
- at one, or both ends fibrous structures connects the muscle to bone - tendons
Describe the features of tendons
- transfer the force of muscle pull to bone to facilitate joint movement
- high tensile strength, made mostly of type 1 collagen
- two specialised regions for attachment to the musculoskeletal system: myotendinous junction and osteotendinous junction or enthesis
What is concentric isotonic muscle contraction?
The muscle gets shorter when it contracts.
What is eccentric isotonic muscle contraction?
The muscle lengthens - ‘paying out’ - controls movement.
What is isometric contraction?
The muscle contracts but stays the same length.
What is the role of the agonist/prime mover?
Generates the basic movement.
What is the role of the antagonist?
Oppose the movement of the agonist.
What is the role of the synergist?
Helps the prime mover.
What is the role of the fixator?
Stabilises bones to allow movement to take place.
