Ultrastructure of Muscle

Question 1

Describe skeletal muscle

Answer 1

striated muscle that is under voluntary control from the somatic nervous system. Identifying features are cylindrical cells and multiple peripheral nuclei.

Question 2

Describe of cardiac muscle

Answer 2

striated muscle that is found only in the heart. Identifying features are single nuclei and the presence of intercalated discs between the cells.

Question 3

Describe smooth muscle

Answer 3

non-striated muscle that is controlled involuntarily by the autonomic nervous system. The identifying feature is the presence of one spindle-shaped central nucleus per cell.

Question 4

what are T tubules?

Answer 4

T tubules are unique to muscle cells. These are invaginations of the sarcolemma that conduct charge when the cell is depolarised.

Question 5

what does the sarcoplasmic reticulum contain?

Answer 5

a large store of calcium ions