Muscle Contraction Mechanism

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to muscle contraction as discussed in the lecture.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

The organelle that stores calcium inside muscle cells.

Isokinetic

A type of muscular contraction where the muscle exerts force without changing length.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy carrier in all living organisms used to fuel cellular processes.

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that triggers muscle contraction by opening sodium channels.

Motor Unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates.

Neuromuscular Junction

The synapse or junction between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber.

Troponin

A protein that helps regulate muscle contraction by interacting with calcium.

Tropomyosin

A protein that blocks myosin binding sites on actin filaments in a relaxed muscle.

Power Stroke

The action of the myosin head pulling the actin filament, powered by ATP hydrolysis.

Sliding Filament Theory

A theory explaining muscle contraction based on the sliding movement of actin and myosin filaments.

Calcium Channel

A channel that allows calcium ions to enter the cell, initiating muscle contraction.

Elasticity

The ability of muscle tissue to return to its original shape after being stretched.

Sodium Channels

Channels that allow sodium ions to flow into a cell, contributing to depolarization during muscle contraction.

Fatigue

The decline in the capacity of the muscle to generate force after prolonged activity.

Kinetic Energy

The energy possessed by a body due to its motion; relevant in muscle movement.

Homoestasis

The ability of the body to maintain stable internal conditions.