Biology topic 7

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to muscle function, physiology, and related mechanisms important for biology exams.

ATP Hydrolysis

Energy derived from the breakdown of ATP, used for active transport processes.

Medulla Oblongata

The part of the brain responsible for controlling heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

Tendons

Connective tissues that attach muscles to bones.

Sarcoplasm

The cytoplasm of a muscle cell.

Stretch Receptors

Sensory receptors in muscle cells that detect muscle stretching and send signals to the medulla oblongata.

Thermoreceptors

Sensory receptors that detect changes in body temperature and initiate responses to maintain homeostasis.

Doping

The use of drugs to enhance athletic performance in a manner that is considered unfair or cheating.

Sinoatrial Node (SAN)

A group of cells in the heart that initiates electrical impulses leading to atrial contraction.

QRS Complex

The part of an ECG that represents ventricular depolarization.

Antagonistic Muscles

Muscle pairs that work opposite to each other, where one muscle contracts while the other relaxes.

Muscle Fiber Features

Characteristics of muscle cells, including actin and myosin proteins and the structure of the sarcomere.

Vasoconstriction

The narrowing of blood vessels, reducing blood flow and heat loss.

Slow Twitch Muscle Fibres

Muscle fibers adapted for aerobic respiration, characterized by high myoglobin content and many mitochondria.

Fast Twitch Muscle Fibres

Muscle fibers designed for anaerobic respiration, containing few mitochondria and high levels of glycogen.

Myosin

A protein that has ATPase activity and facilitates muscle contraction by interacting with actin.

Tidal Volume

The volume of air inhaled or exhaled in one breath.

P Wave

The portion of an ECG that indicates atrial depolarization.

Rest and Digest

A state where the parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate through acetylcholine release.

Keyhole Surgery

A minimally invasive surgical procedure involving a small incision and use of a camera.

Sarcomere

The basic contractile unit of muscle fibers.

Link Reaction

A biochemical pathway that converts pyruvate into acetyl CoA in the mitochondrial matrix.

Dermis

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis, containing connective tissue and supporting structures.

Muscle Fatigue

A condition resulting from prolonged exercise, indicated by decreased pH and enzyme activity.

Electrical Conduction of the Heart

The sequence of electrical impulses that controls heart contraction, including the roles of the SAN and AVN.

Shivering

The process of muscle contraction to generate heat and raise body temperature.

Chemoreceptors

Sensors that detect changes in blood chemistry, such as CO2 levels and pH.

Glycolysis

The metabolic process that converts glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP in the cytoplasm.

Ligaments

Tissues that connect bones at joints and provide stability.

Aerobic Respiration Steps

The series of metabolic pathways including glycolysis, link reaction, citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Body Temperature Regulation

The physiological processes involved in maintaining a constant core body temperature.

Associated Proteins in Actin Filaments

Proteins such as tropomyosin that regulate interaction between actin and myosin.

Ventilation Rate

The measure of breathing, calculated as tidal volume times breathing rate.

Prosthesis

An artificial device designed to replace a missing body part.

Cardiac Muscle Location

Muscle tissue unique to the heart, responsible for pumping blood.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

The specialized endoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells that stores calcium ions.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment within the body.

Antagonistic Muscle Pair Example

An example is the bicep as flexor and tricep as extensor in the arm.