Muscle contraction - sliding filament theory

Front

What forms a crossbridge with actin?

Back

Myosin

Front

What is the gap between a neuron and a muscle cell called?

Back

Synaptic cleft or synapse

Front

What role does calcium play in muscle contraction?

Back

Triggers the binding of myosin to actin

Front

What is the region where a motor neuron comes in close contact with a muscle cell?

Back

Neuromuscular junction

Front

What is a sarcomere?

Back

The basic contractile unit of muscle fiber.

Front

What is the role of ATP in muscle contraction?

Back

Provides energy for the myosin heads to detach from actin.

Front

What is the function of the sarcolemma?

Back

It is the cell membrane of a muscle cell that conducts action potentials.

Front

What is the role of tropomyosin in muscle contraction?

Back

It blocks the binding sites on actin for myosin when the muscle is relaxed.

Front

What initiates the muscle contraction process?

Back

The release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

Front

What is the sliding filament theory?

Back

It explains how muscles contract by the sliding of actin and myosin filaments over each other.