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The muscle fibre. Let’s go back to the individual muscle fibre The fibres are covered by a membrane called sarcolemma Between the muscle fibre and the sarcolemma membrane is a gel-like fluid called sarcoplasm
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The muscle fibre Let’s go back to the individual muscle fibre • The fibres are covered by a membrane called sarcolemma • Between the muscle fibre and the sarcolemma membrane is a gel-like fluid called sarcoplasm • And then, as already learned, on the outside of each fibre’s sarcolemma is the connective endomysium tissue, that helps the fibres to bind
Sarcoplasm • Sarcoplasm is liquid gold, it contains: • Mitochondria (where aerobic energy is made) • Myoglobin (carries oxygen to the mitochondria) • Energy nutrients (fat/protein/carbs) • Adenosine triphosphate (immediate energy) • Enzymes (chemicals to speed up energy production) • Actin and Myosinmyofilaments(proteins that help with contraction)
The muscle fibre • Each muscle fibre is actually made up of long strands called myofibrils • Each myofibril contains many smaller units called Sarcomeres • Sarcomeres are responsible for muscular contraction, they contain two filaments called actin and myosin • Yes, we’re finally down to the smallest unit of the muscle!
Sarcomeres • This is a contractile unit • It’s important to grasp that each myofibril contains many sarcomere, joined end to end
Sarcomeres • The sarcomeres are lined up end to end along the myofibril. • Where the abut each other is called the Z-Line • Actin is a contractile protein (filament) that attaches to each of the z-lines • Myosin is another contractile protein that sits between the actin filaments
Sarcomeres • I-Band = Actin only • A-Band = both, length of myosin • H-zone = myosin only, the gap between acton filaments (space for contraction)
Sarcomeres • Myosin filaments have cross bridges – just picture little hockey stick type things.
Sarcomeres • When the sarcomere contracts, the curved end of the hockey stick grabs onto the actin and pulls it towards the centre of the sarcomere. • This happens in all sarcomeres at the same time, making the muscle contract
Sarcomeres • The muscle will relax when the myosin and actin lose contact with each other and the sarcomere returns to normal size. • Myosin doesn’t change in length during a contraction, actin does
Muscular tone • There’s never a time when ALL myosin cross bridges have detached from the actin, some stay in contact • This gives us muscular tone – the muscle is never completely relaxed. • Because they’re already partially connected, they can be activated quickly. • Tone also helps with posture.