Chapter 9: Skeletal Muscle Tissue Review

Flashcards for Skeletal Muscle Tissue Review

Skeletal Muscle Tissue Functions

Movement, posture, support, heat generation, guarding entrances/exits

Epimysium

Connective tissue covering the entire muscle

Sarcomere

The functional unit of contraction in a muscle fiber

Triad (in muscle fibers)

A T-tubule and two terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

Stores and releases calcium

Thick Myofilaments

Made of myosin

Thin Myofilaments

Made of actin

Sliding Filament Theory

Actin and myosin filaments slide past each other to shorten the sarcomere

Calcium

Mineral essential for muscle contraction

Motor Neuron

A nerve cell that stimulates a muscle fiber

Neuromuscular Junction

The synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber

ATP

Energy molecule required for muscle contraction

Muscle Fatigue

Caused by lack of ATP, calcium, or pH imbalance

Motor Unit

A motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it controls

Rigor Mortis

Stiffening of muscles after death due to lack of ATP

Hypertrophy

Increase in muscle size due to repetitive stimulation

Atrophy

Decrease in muscle size from disuse or damage

Tetanus (clinical condition)

A bacterial infection causing continuous muscle contraction

Botulism

A condition where ACh release is blocked, causing paralysis

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder that destroys ACh receptors