Functions and Types of the Human Muscular System

This set of flashcards covers the functions, types, and anatomical details of the human muscular system, aiding in exam preparation.

What are the three main functions of the Human Muscular System?

Movement, Support (Posture), Protection, Heat Production.

What are the three types of muscle found in the human body?

Skeletal, Cardiac, Smooth.

Which type of muscle is involuntary and striated?

Cardiac muscle.

What is the point of attachment that connects a muscle to the bone that moves when the muscle contracts?

Insertion.

Give an example of an activity that utilizes fast twitch muscle fibers.

Weight lifting or any high force-short duration activity.

Give an example of an activity that utilizes slow twitch muscle fibers.

Long-distance running or any endurance activity.

What connective tissue surrounds bundles of muscle fibers?

Perimysium.

What is a motor unit?

A single somatic motor neuron and all the muscle fibers (cells) it connects to.

What organelle in a muscle cell stores calcium?

Sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Which myofilament creates the darker stripe seen in striation?

Myosin (thick) filament.

Where does communication between the motor neuron and muscle cell occur?

At the neuromuscular junction (synapse).

What role does calcium play in muscle contraction?

Changes the shape of actin to expose the myosin binding sites.

What is formed when the myosin head attaches to the binding site on actin?

Cross-bridge.

What is the name of the theory of muscle contraction?

Sliding filament theory.

How does muscle growth occur?

Hypertrophy - muscles experience microscopic damage and are repaired by adding protein and increasing diameter.

What is sarcopenia?

Age-associated muscle decline resulting in muscle tissue being replaced by connective tissue and adipose.

True or False: Smooth muscle has no striation and is involuntary.

True.

What are synergists?

Muscles that assist in the movement accomplished by more than one muscle.

What are prime movers?

The muscle most responsible for a specific movement.

What are fixators?

Muscles that stabilize a part of the body while other muscles move.

Describe how muscle fibers are grouped in bundles.

Muscle fibers are grouped into fascicles, surrounded by perimysium.