120 likes | 285 Views
Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle. Muscles – Part 2. Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle. Sarcolemma – The plasma membrane around muscle cells . Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle. Myofibrils – Long ribbon-like contractile organelles found in the cytoplasm of muscle cells
E N D
Microscopic Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle Muscles – Part 2
Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle • Sarcolemma – The plasma membrane around muscle cells
Anatomy of Skeletal Muscle • Myofibrils – Long ribbon-like contractile organelles found in the cytoplasm of muscle cells • Composed of bundles of myofilaments • Contain light (I) and dark (A) bands along the length of the perfectly aligned myofibrils. • Gives the muscle cell as a whole its striped or striated appearance.
Light I and Dark A Bands Contain the Following: • The Light I Band has a midline interruption, a darker area called the Z discs. • The Dark A Band has a lighter central area called the H zone.
Sarcomeres • Sarcomeres – Tiny contractile units • Myofibrils are actually chains of sarcomeres. • Sarcomeres are aligned end-to-end like boxcars in a train.
Myofilaments • Myofilaments – Filaments (threadlike protein) composing the myofibrils. • 2 Types: • Thick Filaments (Myosin Filaments) • Thin Filaments (Actin Filaments)
Thick Filaments • Thick Filaments (Myosin Filaments) – Made mostly of bundled molecules of the protein myosin • Also contain ATPase enzymes, which split ATP to generate the power for muscle contraction. • Extends the entire length of the Dark A Band
Cross Bridges on Myosin Filaments • Notice that the midparts of myosin filaments are smooth, but their ends are studded with small projections, or cross bridges. • Cross Bridges (myosin heads) – Projections found on myosin filaments that link the thick and thin filaments together during contraction.
Thin Filaments • Thin Filaments (Actin Filaments) - Composed of the contractile protein called actin • Are anchored to the Z disc • When contraction occurs, the actin-containing filaments slide toward each other.
Thin Filaments • The light I bands only contains thin filaments. • The thin filaments overlap the ends of the thick filaments but do not extend into the H Zone (bare zone).
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum – A specialized smooth endoplasmic reticulum. • The interconnecting tubules and sacs of the SR surround each and every myofibril. • Similar to a sleeve surrounding your arm • Major Role: Store calcium and to release it “on demand” when the muscle fiber is stimulated to contract.