API Notes Home Page

Anatomy of a Muscle

I). Functions of Skeletal Muscle

bulletMovement
bulletPosture
bulletStabilizes joints
bulletHeat
bulletProtects organs

II). Terms

bullet

Excitability

bullet

Contractility

bullet

Extensibility

bullet

Elasticity

muscle muscle
origin & insertion direct & indirect attachments

 

III). Attachments

A). Insertion: moves the bone.

B). Origin:  does not move or is less movable.

C). Direct attachments: the connective tissue fuses to the bone.

D). Indirect attachments: outer connective tissue forms a tendon that connects to the bone

 

IV). Muscle Structure

muscle structure

A). Muscle

B). Fascicle

C). Muscle Fiber: Cell

                   sarcolemma  =  plasma membrane

D). Myofibril: Organelle

E). Sarcomere: Contractile unit

muscle fiber

F). Myofilaments

Actin

Myosin

V). Bands of the Muscle Fiber

A).  Muscle fiber:

1). Dark A bands: The thick myosin filaments extend the length of the A band.

2). Light I bands: The thin actin filaments extend the length of the I band & part of the A band

B). Myofibril

1). A band

a). H zone: Lighter stripe

b). M line: bisects the H zone

2). I band

a). Z disc midline

Sarcomere is the area between 2 Z discs.

During muscle contractions the I band shortens

 and the Z discs move closer together.

 

VII). Myofilament Composition

A). Thick filament (MYOSIN)

myosin filament
bulletThe 2 heads  contain ATP binding sites & link the actin and myosin together during contraction.

B). Thin Filaments (ACTIN)

bulletBinds to the myosin heads.
bulletActive sites are blocked when the muscle is relaxed.
actin filament