sarcoplasm

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2009)

Muscle system

The Sarcoplasm of a muscle fiber is comparable to the cytoplasm of other cells fluid of the muscle, but it houses unusually large amounts of glycosomes (granules of stored glycogen) and significant amounts of myoglobin, an oxygen binding protein. The calcium concentration in sarcoplasma is also a special element of the muscular fiber by means of which the contractions takes place and regulates.

Other than the fact that it contains mostly myofibrils its contents are otherwise comparable to those of the cytoplasm of other cells. It has a Golgi apparatus, near the nucleus, mitochondria just on the inside of the cytoplasmic membrane or sarcolemma, as well as a smooth endoplasmic reticulum organized in an extensive network.

External links

• sarcoplasm at eMedicine Dictionary
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary
• Sarcoplasm at Encyclopedia.com