muscle contraction flashcard

Front

What are the thin myofilaments in the muscle cell?

Back

Actin

Front

Which two structures block the active site on an actin filament?

Back

Troponin & Tropomyosin

Front

What is the only energy source that can be used to directly power muscle contraction?

Back

ATP

Front

What rushes into the muscle cell to remove blocking molecules and make the active site available?

Back

Calcium

Front

What are the thick myofilaments in the muscle cell?

Back

Myosin

Front

What is the role of ATP in muscle contraction?

Back

ATP provides the energy required for muscle contraction.

Front

What is the function of troponin in muscle contraction?

Back

Troponin binds to calcium ions and helps move tropomyosin away from the actin active sites.

Front

What is the role of tropomyosin in muscle contraction?

Back

Tropomyosin blocks the active sites on actin filaments, preventing contraction until calcium binds to troponin.

Front

What is a sarcomere?

Back

A sarcomere is the basic contractile unit of muscle tissue, defined as the segment between two Z lines.

Front

What is the neuromuscular junction?

Back

The neuromuscular junction is the synapse between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, where signals for contraction are transmitted.