Muscle Metabolism and ATP Production

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to muscle metabolism and ATP production.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, the primary energy currency of cells, required for muscle contraction and metabolic processes.

Creatine Phosphate Pathway

A method of ATP production where phosphate is transferred from creatine phosphate to ADP, catalyzed by creatine kinase.

Anaerobic Pathway

A method of ATP production that does not require oxygen, producing lactic acid and yielding 2 ATP per glucose.

Aerobic Cellular Respiration

A process that produces ATP in the presence of oxygen, yielding 30-32 ATP per glucose.

Glucose

A simple sugar that is a primary energy source for cellular respiration.

Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

An organelle in muscle cells that stores calcium ions (Ca2+) and releases them during muscle contraction.

Fatigue

Physiological inability of a muscle to contract, which contrasts with feeling tired from central fatigue originating in the CNS.

Myoglobin

A protein that binds oxygen in muscle cells, playing a crucial role in aerobic metabolism.

Glycolysis

The metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, yielding a net gain of 2 ATP.

Acidosis

A condition resulting from increased acidity in the body fluids, which can result from anaerobic metabolism and lead to muscle soreness.

Hypertrophy

An increase in the size of muscle fibers due to factors such as increased actin/myosin synthesis.

Atrophy

A decrease in muscle mass due to disuse or injury.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

An anaerobic process that converts glucose into lactic acid and occurs in muscle cells during intense exercise.

Endurance Exercise

Physical activities that improve cardiovascular and muscular endurance, often leading to a transformation of fast glycolytic fibers into fast oxidative fibers.

Creatine Kinase

An enzyme that catalyzes the phosphorylation of ADP to produce ATP from creatine phosphate.

Mitochondria

Organelles in cells responsible for aerobic respiration and ATP production.

Lipids (Free Fatty Acids)

Fats that can be metabolized for energy; they enter the aerobic pathway and are used for ATP production.

Glycogen

A stored form of glucose found in the liver and muscles, which can be broken down to supply glucose during exercise.

Carbohydrate Metabolism

The process of breaking down carbohydrates to produce energy, particularly during high-intensity exercise.

Fast Glycolytic Fibers

Muscle fibers that primarily use anaerobic glycolysis for energy, are fast to fatigue, and are suited for short, powerful movements.

Slow Oxidative Fibers

Muscle fibers that rely on aerobic metabolism, are resistant to fatigue, and are best suited for endurance activities.

Fast Oxidative-Glycolytic Fibers

Muscle fibers that use both aerobic and anaerobic pathways, good for activities like walking and sprinting.

Creatine Phosphate

A high-energy compound stored in muscle cells that helps to rapidly regenerate ATP.