Muscle 06 March 2025 at 13.06.45 PM

Tropomyosin

A protein that regulates the interaction between actin and myosin in muscle contraction.

Myosin

A type of motor protein that interacts with actin to cause muscle contraction.

ATP

A molecule that provides energy for many biochemical cellular processes, including muscle contraction.

ADP

A product of ATP breakdown, which releases energy for muscle function.

Sarcomere

The basic contractile unit of muscle tissue.

Calcium

A mineral that plays a crucial role in muscle contraction by enabling the interaction between actin and myosin.

Sarcoplasm

The cytoplasm of a muscle fiber, containing various organelles and myofibrils.

Myofibrils

Organelles in muscle fibers that contain the contractile apparatus composed of actin and myosin.

Oxidative fibers

Muscle fibers that primarily use aerobic metabolism for energy production.

Glycolytic fibers

Muscle fibers that primarily use anaerobic metabolism for quick energy bursts.

Aerobic Respiration

A process that uses oxygen to produce ATP from glucose, primarily in oxidative muscle fibers.

Anaerobic Respiration

A process that produces ATP without oxygen, primarily in glycolytic muscle fibers.

Fast-twitch fibers

Muscle fibers that are adapted for quick, powerful contractions but fatigue quickly.

Slow-twitch fibers

Muscle fibers that are adapted for endurance and resist fatigue.

Hypertrophy

The increase in the size of muscle fibers, often as a result of resistance training.

Atrophy

The decrease in muscle size or mass, often due to disuse or aging.

Sarcopenia

Age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Myoglobin

A protein that carries oxygen in muscle cells.

Endomycium

Connective tissue that surrounds individual muscle fibers.

Perimycium

Connective tissue that surrounds muscle fascicles.

Epimycium

Connective tissue that surrounds an entire muscle.

Fusiform muscle

A muscle whose belly is wider than the ends, like the biceps.

Pennate muscle

A muscle with fascicles that are arranged at an angle to the tendons, resembling a feather.

Smooth muscle

Involuntary muscle found in internal organs, lacking striations.

Cardiac muscle

Involuntary striated muscle found in the heart, capable of rhythmic contractions.

Gap junction

Connections between cells that allow for the passage of ions and electrical impulses.

Compartment syndrome

A painful condition caused by pressure buildup from internal bleeding or swelling within an enclosed bundle of muscles.

Tendon

A connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones.

Eccentric contraction

A type of muscle contraction where the muscle elongates while under tension.

Concentric contraction

A type of muscle contraction where the muscle shortens while under tension.

Isometric contraction

A type of muscle contraction where muscle length stays the same while muscle tension increases.