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The units of contraction within a muscle fiber are called sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the basic functional and structural units of striated muscle tissue, composed of actin and myosin filaments. They are organized in a repeating pattern along the length of the muscle fiber, allowing for coordinated contraction and relaxation during muscle activity.

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What are the structures within the muscle fiber that shorten to cause skeletal muscle fiber contraction?

The structures within the muscle fiber that shorten to cause skeletal muscle contraction are called myofibrils. Myofibrils are composed of repeating units called sarcomeres, which contain thick and thin filaments made of proteins (actin and myosin). When the muscle fiber is stimulated by a nerve impulse, the myosin heads interact with the actin filaments to generate the force required for muscle contraction.


What is the plasma membrane of the muscle fiber?

The plasma membrane of a muscle fiber is called the sarcolemma. It surrounds the muscle cell and is responsible for controlling the passage of substances in and out of the cell, as well as transmitting signals for muscle contraction. The sarcolemma is essential for maintaining the integrity and function of the muscle fiber.


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 special cells in the muscles that receives messages from motor neurons?

The special cells in muscles that receive messages from motor neurons are called muscle fibers, specifically the specialized structures within them known as motor end plates. When a motor neuron transmits a signal, it releases neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction, which bind to receptors on the muscle fiber's surface. This binding triggers muscle contraction by initiating a cascade of events within the muscle fiber. These interactions are crucial for voluntary movement and muscle coordination.


The narrow space between the synaptic terminal and the muscle fiber is the?

synaptic cleft, where neurotransmitters are released by the synaptic terminal and bind to receptors on the muscle fiber to trigger a muscle contraction.

Related Questions

What are the structures within the muscle fiber that shorten to cause skeletal muscle fiber contraction?

The structures within the muscle fiber that shorten to cause skeletal muscle contraction are called myofibrils. Myofibrils are composed of repeating units called sarcomeres, which contain thick and thin filaments made of proteins (actin and myosin). When the muscle fiber is stimulated by a nerve impulse, the myosin heads interact with the actin filaments to generate the force required for muscle contraction.


What is shortening of a muscle fiber called?

a contraction human avatommy


What is the minimal strengh of stimulation needed to elicit a muscle fiber contraction called?

Threshold


What do you call a shortening of muscle fiber?

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.


What is the plasma membrane of the muscle fiber?

The plasma membrane of a muscle fiber is called the sarcolemma. It surrounds the muscle cell and is responsible for controlling the passage of substances in and out of the cell, as well as transmitting signals for muscle contraction. The sarcolemma is essential for maintaining the integrity and function of the muscle fiber.


What best describes the events of excitation in excitation-contraction coupling?

cross bridge formation "Excitation-contraction coupling" connects muscle fiber excitation to the muscle fiber contraction (cross bridge formation). During contraction, myosin heads form cross bridges many times-with each cross bridge generating a small amount of tension in the muscle fiber.


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 does contraction mean in medical terms?

contract or "contraction" is when a muscle fiber lengthens or shortens


What are the physiological processes that occur in muscle cells and how would you describe them?

Muscle cells undergo a process called muscle contraction, where they generate force and movement. This process involves the interaction of proteins within the cell, specifically actin and myosin, which slide past each other to shorten the muscle fiber. This contraction is triggered by the release of calcium ions within the cell. Additionally, muscle cells also produce energy through the breakdown of ATP to fuel this contraction. Overall, muscle cells work together to create movement and perform various functions in the body.


The energy source that is directly responsible for muscle fiber contraction is?

ATP


What allows recoil of the muscle fiber when contraction ends?

Elastic filaments