Muscle Unit Review

Front

What is summation in muscle physiology?

Back

Summation refers to the process where multiple stimuli are applied to a muscle in quick succession, leading to a stronger contraction than a single stimulus.

Front

What is the sarcoplasmic reticulum?

Back

The sarcoplasmic reticulum is a specialized type of endoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells that stores calcium ions, which are essential for muscle contraction.

Front

What is the result of summation and recruitment working together?

Back

The result is sustained contraction, which allows for increased strength and endurance in muscle performance.

Front

What is the neuromuscular junction?

Back

The neuromuscular junction is the synapse or connection point between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber, consisting of the nerve terminal, synaptic cleft, and motor end plate.

Front

What molecule is required for myosin head activation during muscle contraction?

Back

ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is required to charge the myosin head, enabling it to bind to actin and facilitate muscle contraction.

Front

Define muscle fatigue.

Back

Muscle fatigue is the decline in ability of a muscle to generate force, often due to prolonged activity, depletion of energy sources, or accumulation of metabolic byproducts.

Front

What is recruitment in muscle physiology?

Back

Recruitment is the process of activating additional motor units to increase muscle force during contraction.

Front

Explain the role of calcium ions in muscle contraction.

Back

Calcium ions are released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and bind to troponin, causing a conformational change that allows myosin to bind to actin, initiating contraction.

Front

What is a motor unit?

Back

A motor unit consists of a single motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates, functioning together to produce muscle contractions.

Front

What is tetanus in muscle physiology?

Back

Tetanus is a sustained muscle contraction that occurs when stimuli are applied at a high frequency, preventing relaxation between contractions.