answersLogoWhite

0

An action potential is sent down the axon. Once this action potential reaches the axonal knob, it signals the neurotansmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to be exocytosed via synaptic vesicles. Once the ACh travels across the synaptic cleft and binds to ACh receptors in the end plate, sodium channels open. The opening of these channels allows sodium to diffuse into the innermembrane space, down the gradient. Once this innermembrane space reaches threshold, the sodium channels become inactive. The inactivation of these sodium channels causes potassium channels to open. Potassium ions within the innermembrane space are now able to diffuse out, causing a voltage reversal (-90 to about +75 mV). This end plate potential (EPP) is what excites the muscle fiber. This first action potential then causes a chain reaction of other action potentials across the sarcolemma. This chain reaction spreads until it reaches the T tubules. Once this action potential flows down the T tubules, it causes calcium channels to open on the cisternal sacs of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. This allows calcium ions to flood the cytosol. Once in the cytosol, calcium will bind to tropnin. This causes troponin to release tropomyosin. Breaking this complex (troponin-tropomyosin) exposes the active site on an actin filament. If the ATP attached to myosin is hydrolyzed, myosin will convert to it's "cocked" position. The myosin will then bind to the unblocked active site of actin, creating a myosin-actin crossbridge. The myosin will then convert back to its bent, lower energy form and thus pull the actin filament to create a contraction.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Why does a filament stay in place when a single myosin head releases during muscle contraction?

During muscle contraction, a filament stays in place when a single myosin head releases because other myosin heads in the same muscle fiber continue to hold onto the filament, maintaining tension and preventing it from moving.


What is a single brief jerky muscle contraction called?

A single brief jerky muscle contraction is called a "twitch." It occurs when a muscle fiber responds to a single stimulus, leading to a rapid contraction and subsequent relaxation. Twitches can be observed in both skeletal and cardiac muscles and are fundamental to understanding muscle physiology.


A single muscle contraction that lasts only a fraction of a second is called a?

A single contraction that lasts only a fraction of a second is called a muscle twitch. Its when the muscle seizes up for a quick pulse then relaxes.


What is a twitch contraction?

A twitch contraction is a single, brief contraction of a muscle fiber in response to a stimulus. It is the smallest unit of muscle contraction and is not strong enough to produce movement of a limb.


What are the three stages of muscle cell contraction?

A Muscle Twitch is a single contraction of skeletal muscle. The three distinct phases are latent, contraction, and relaxation. Latent Phase: Is the interval from the stimulus application until the muscle begins to contract (shorten). Note that there is no traced activity during this phase, but there are some electrical and chemical changes taking place during this phase. Contraction Phase: This phase is when the muscle fibers shorten, the tracings will show during this phase (a) peak(s). Relaxation Phase: This phase is represented by the downward curve in your tracings, this is when the muscle is going back to its original state of relaxation and the muscle will once again lengthen


When the contraction of a skeletal muscle is studied in the laboratory by applying an electrical charge to the muscle the analysis of the contraction is called a muscle twitch?

A muscle twitch refers to a single, quick contraction and relaxation of a skeletal muscle in response to an electrical stimulus. In a laboratory setting, researchers can analyze the characteristics of the twitch, such as its duration, force, and the time between the stimulus and contraction (latency). This helps in understanding muscle physiology and the mechanisms of muscle contraction.


What is a contractile response of a single muscle fiber to a single muscle impulse called?

The contractile response of a single muscle fiber to a single muscle impulse is called a "twitch." A twitch consists of a brief contraction followed by relaxation, and it can be divided into three phases: the latent period, contraction phase, and relaxation phase. The characteristics of a twitch, such as its duration and force, can vary depending on the type of muscle fiber involved.


Single muscle contraction that lasts only a fraction of a second is called?

A: A Twitch


Skeletal muscle twitch differs from a tetanic contraction in that?

Skeletal muscle twitch is a single, brief contraction and relaxation cycle, whereas a tetanic contraction involves sustained, rapid repeated contractions without relaxation in between. Tetanic contractions occur when the muscle is stimulated at a high frequency, leading to a fused contraction.


What is a brief contraction of all muscle fibers in a motor unit in a response to a single action potientia lmoving down the somatic motor neuron is known as what?

A brief contraction of all muscle fibers in a motor unit in response to a single action potential traveling down the somatic motor neuron is known as a muscle twitch. This twitch consists of three phases: the latent period, contraction phase, and relaxation phase. It represents the basic unit of muscle contraction and is essential for understanding muscle function and physiology.


At what rate in muscle contraction does a single myosin head consumes?

5 ATP per second


A twitch is in response to a single action potential?

Generally not as there are many parallel fibres that are part of the same circuit and some sort of coordination between the fibres are needed before a muscle twitch can be detected. This is either temporal or spatial summation.