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Muscle tissue
Muscle tissue is a type of tissue composed of cells that have the ability to contract and produce movement. It is classified into three main types: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscle is under voluntary control and is responsible for moving bones; it has a striated appearance due to its organized structure. Cardiac muscle, found in the heart, is also striated but operates involuntarily and has unique intercalated discs that facilitate coordinated contractions. Smooth muscle is non-striated and found in the walls of hollow organs, allowing for involuntary movements like digestion and blood flow regulation.
Synovial fluid
A viscous fluid that lubricates the joint cavity.
Meniscus
Crescent-shaped cartilage that serves as a shock absorber in the knees.
Fibrous cartilage
Strong cartilage that provides support and maintains separation between bones.
Bursa
Sacs containing fluid that reduce friction in joints.
Tendons
Connective tissues that attach muscles to bones.
Ligaments
Connective tissues that connect bone to bone.
Excitable tissue
Tissues capable of responding to a stimulus, like muscle and nerve cells.
Contractile
The ability of muscle tissue to shorten and generate force.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum in muscle fibers that stores calcium.
Myofibrils
Rod-like structures inside muscle fibers made of myofilaments.
Sarcomere
The functional unit of muscle contraction, between two Z discs.
Myofilaments
Filaments in myofibrils, consisting of thick (myosin) and thin (actin) filaments.
Cross bridge
Connection formed when myosin heads bind to actin during contraction.
Motor unit
A single motor neuron and all muscle fibers it innervates.
Agonist (prime mover)
The muscle primarily responsible for movement.
Antagonist
The muscle that opposes the action of the agonist.
Synergist
A muscle that assists the agonist in a movement.
Excitability
The ability of a cell to respond to stimuli.
Elasticity
The ability of muscle to return to its original shape after stretching.
Striated muscle
Muscle tissue with a banded appearance, characteristic of skeletal and cardiac muscles.
What are the three types of muscle tissue?
The three types of muscle tissue are skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle.
What is the primary function of skeletal muscle?
Skeletal muscle is primarily responsible for moving bones and is under voluntary control.
What is unique about cardiac muscle?
Cardiac muscle is striated, operates involuntarily, and has intercalated discs for coordinated contractions.
Where is smooth muscle found?
Smooth muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs, like the intestines and blood vessels.
What does 'striated' mean in the context of muscle tissue?
'Striated' refers to the banded appearance of skeletal and cardiac muscle due to their organized structure.
What are intercalated discs?
Intercalated discs are specialized connections between cardiac muscle cells that facilitate rapid communication.
Define voluntary muscle.
Voluntary muscle is muscle tissue that can be consciously controlled, such as skeletal muscle.
Define involuntary muscle.
Involuntary muscle is muscle tissue that cannot be consciously controlled, such as cardiac and smooth muscle.
What is the role of myoglobin in muscle tissue?
Myoglobin is a protein in muscle cells that binds oxygen, aiding in aerobic respiration.
What influences muscle hypertrophy?
Muscle hypertrophy is influenced by resistance training, nutrition, and hormonal factors.
