Actin and Myosin Myofilaments
MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Functions (M2RPC3)
1. Movement of the body.
2. Maintenance of posture.
3. Respiration
4. Production of body heat
5. Communication
6. Constriction of organs and vessels
7. Contraction of the heart
Characteristics of the Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal Muscle
§ Constitutes approx. 40% of body weight
§ Muscles are attached to the skeletal system
§ Also called Striated Muscle; transverse bands or
striations
Major Functional Characteristics of Skeletal Muscle
1. Contractility – ability to shorten with force
2. Excitability – capacity to respond to a stimulus
3. Extensibility – ability to be stretched to their
normal resting length
4. Elasticity – ability to recoil to their original
resting length
Skeletal Muscle Structure
Connective Tissue Coverings of Muscle
Epimysium/Muscular fascia – connective tissue sheath
that surrounds a skeletal muscle
Muscle fasciculi – numerous visible bundles that make
up the muscle
Perimysium – loose connective tissue that surrounds the
muscle fasciculi
Muscle fibers – several muscle cells that composes a
fasciculus
Endomysium – loose connective tissue that surrounds a
muscle fiber
Muscle Fiber Structure
Sarcolemma – cell membrane of the muscle fiber
Transverse tubules (T tubules) – tube-like invaginations
w/c occur at regular intervals along the muscle fiber
Sarcoplasmic reticulum – highly organized smooth E.R.;
has a relatively high concentration of Ca2+ (muscle
contraction)
Sarcoplasm – cytoplasm of a muscle fiber
Myofibrils – threadlike structures composed of:
Ø Actin Myofilaments (thin filaments; purple)
Ø Myosin Myofilaments (thick filaments; green)
Sarcomere – highly ordered, repeating units of actin +
myosin myofilaments; joined end to end to form the
myofibril
Troponin molecules – binding sites for Ca2+; attached at
specific intervals along the actin myofilaments
Tropomyosin filaments – cover the attachment sites on
the actin myofilaments; located along the grove bet. the
twisted strands of actin myofilaments
Myosin heads – resemble golf club heads;
Ø Bind to attachment sites
Ø Bend and straighten
Ø Break down ATP
Sarcomere
§ Basic structural and functional unit of skeletal
muscle
Z disk – network of protein fibers forming an
attachment site for actin myofilaments
I band – consists of actin myofilaments; spans each Z
disk
A band – darker, central region that extends the length
of the myosin of myofilaments
H zone – second light zone that consists of myosin
myofilaments
M line – dark-staining bands
The arrangement of the actin and myosin filaments in
sacromeres gives the myofibrils a banded appearance.
The alternating I bands and A bands of the sacromeres
are responsible for the striations in the skeletal muscle
fibers.
Excitability of Muscle Fibers
Resting membrane potential – cell membranes have a
negative charge on the inside relative to a positive
charge outside; occurs bcos there is an uneven
distribution of ions
1. Concentration of K+ inside the cell CM >
outside the CM
2. Concentration of Na+ outside the CM > inside
the CM
Different types of Ion Channels
Ø Nongated/Leak channels – always open
Ø Chemically gated channels – closed until a
chemical binds them and stimulates them to
open
Depolarization – the inside of the CM membrane comes
more positive than the outside of the cell; Na+ ions
move into cells
Repolarization – the change back to the resting
membrane potential; K+ ions moves out of cells
Action Potentials – the rapid depolarization and
repolarization of the CM; results in muscle contraction
M o r a n o , M . A .
Nerve Supply
Motor neurons – specialized nerve cells that stimulate
muscles to contract
Neuromuscular junction – a branch that forms a
junction with a muscle fiber
Synapse – cell-to-cell junction bet. a nerve cell and
another nerve cell/effector cell
Motor unit – a single motor neuron and all the skeletal
muscle fibers it innervates
Presynaptic terminal – enlarged axon terminal
Synaptic cleft – the space bet. the presynaptic terminal
and the muscle fiber membrane
Postsynaptic membrane – the muscle fiber membrane
Synaptic vesicles – presynaptic terminal that contains
small vesicles
Acetylcholine (ACh) – neurotransmitter contained in
the vesicles; a molecule released by a presynaptic nerve
cell that stimulates/inhibits a postsynaptic cell
Acetylcholinesterase – an enzyme that rapidly breaks
down the synaptic cleft bet. the neuron and the muscle
fiber
Muscle Contraction
Sliding filament model – sliding of actin myofilaments
past myosin myofilaments during contraction
Cross-bridges – myosin heads attach to the myosin
attachment sites on the actin myofilaments
Muscle Twitch, Summation, Tetanus, Recruitment
Muscle Twitch – contraction of a muscle fiber in
reponse to a stimulus
1. Lag/Latent Phase – time bet. the application of a
stimulus and the beginning of contraction
2. Contraction Phase – time during which the
muscle contract
3. Relaxation Phase – time during which the
muscle relaxes
Summation – the force of contraction of an individual
muscle fiber is increased by rapidly stimulating them
Tetanus – convulsive tension; a sustained contraction
that occurs when the frequency of stimulus is so rapid
that no relaxation occurs
Ø Caused by Ca+ build up in the myofibrils
Recruitment – the no. of muscle fibers contraction is
increased by the increasing no. of motor units stimulated
+ muscle contracts with more force
Stimulus frequency – no. of times a motor neuron is
stimulated per second
Energy Requirement for Muscle Contraction
Aerobic Respiration – requires O2; breaks down glucose
to produce ATP, CO2, H2O
Anaerobic respiration – doesn’t require O2; breaks
down glucose to yield ATP and lactic acid
Creatine phosphate – high-energy molecule that can be
stored in muscle fibers
Fatigue
§ A state of reduced work capacity
Muscular Fatigue – when muscle fibers use ATP faster
than they are produced; when the effectiveness of Ca+ to
stimulate actin + myosin is reduced
Physiological contracture – muscles may become
incapable of either contracting or relaxing
Psychological fatigue – involves the CNS; an individual
perceives that continued muscle contraction is
impossible
Type of Muscle Contractions
Isometric contractions – equal distance; length of the
muscle does not change; the amount of tension increases
during the contraction process
Isotonic contraction – equal tension; the amount of
tension produced by the muscle is constant during
contraction; length of the muscle decreases
Ø Cocentric contractions – isotonic; muscle
tension increases as the muscle shortens
Ø Eccentric contractions – isotonic; tension is
maintained in a muscle; the opposing resistance
causes the muscle to lengthen
Muscle Tone
§ Constant tension produced by body muscles
over long periods of time
§ Responsible for keeping the back and legs
straight, the head in an upright position, and the
abdomen from bulging
Slow-Twitch and Fast-Twitch Fibers
Classification of Muscle Fiber
1. Slow Twitch – contains type I myosin; contracts
slowly and resistant to fatigue respiration
2.Fast Twitch
a. Type IIa – intermediate speed; more
fatigue resistant than type IIb
b. Type IIb – contract 10x faster than type
I
Myglobin – stores oxygen temporarily
Hypertrophy – enlarging of muscle fibers
Satellite cells – undifferentiated cells just below the
endomysium
Smooth and Cardiac Muscle
Autorhythmicity – resulting periodic spontaneous
contraction of smooth muscle
M o r a n o , M . A .
Intercalated disks – specialized structures that facilitate
action potential conduction bet. cells
Skeletal Muscle Anatomy
General Principles
Tendon – muscle connected to a bone
Aponeuroses – broad, sheet like tendons
Retinaculum – a band of CT that holds down the
tendons at each wrist and ankle
Origin – head; most stationary end of the muscle
Insertion – end of the muscle attached to the bone
undergoing the greatest movement
Belly – part of the muscle bet. the origin & the insertion
Agonist – muscle that accomplishes a certain movement
Antagonist – muscle acting in opposition to an agonist
Synergists – a group of muscles working together to
produce a movement
Prime Mover – muscle that plays the major role in
accomplishing desired movement
Fixators – muscles that hold one bone in place relative to
the body
Nomenclature
1. Accdg. To Location – temporalis, frontalis,
pectoralis, brachialis
2. Accdg. To Origin and Insertion – sterno
(sternum), cleido (clavicle), mastoid (mastoid
process), brachio (arm), radialis (radius)
3. Accdg. To Number of Origin – biceps (2),
triceps, quadriceps
4. Accdg. To Function – flexor (flexion)
5. Accdg. To Size – maximus (largest), minimus
(smallest), vastus (large)
6. Accdg. To Shape – deltoid (triangle), orbicularis
(circular)
7. Orientation of Fasciculi – rectus (straight)
I. Muscles of the Head and Neck
Facial Expression
Occipitofrontalis – raises the eyebrows
Orbicularis oculi – encircle the eyes, tightly close the
eyelids, and causes crow’s feet wrinkles
Orbicularis oris – encircles the mouth
Buccinator – kissing muscles; pucker the mouth; flattens
the cheeks I whistling/blowing
Zygomaticus – elevate the upper lip and corner of the
mouth
Levator labile superioris – sneering; elevates one side of
the upper lip
Depressor anguli oris – frowning & pouting; depresses
the corner of the mouth
Mastification (for chewing)
Temporalis – fan-shaped muscle
Masseter – seen & felt on the side of the head
Pterygoid (paired) – protraction, excursion, elevation of
mandible
Tongue and Swallowing Muscles
Intrinsic muscles – located within the tongue and
change its shape
Extrinsic muscles – attached to and move the tongue
Hyoid muscles – hold the hyoid bone; elevate the larynx
Pharyngeal elevators – elevate the pharynx
Pharyngeal constrictors – constrict the pharynx from
superior to inferior (forcing food into the esophagus);
also open the auditory tube
Neck Muscles
Sternocleidomastoid – prime mover of the lateral
muscle group; rotates the head; flexes the neck or
extends the head; prayer muscle
Torticollis – wryneck; injury to the sternocleidomastoid
Deep neck muscles – flexes/extends head and neck
Trapezius – extends and laterally flexes neck
II. Trunk Muscles
Muscles Moving the Vertebral Column
Erector spinae – responsible for keeping the back
straight and the body erect
Deep back muscles – responsible for several movements
of the vertebral column
External intercostal – elevate the ribs during inspiration
Internal intercostal – contract during forced expiration,
depressing the ribs
Diaphragm – major movement produced in the thorax
during quiet breathing
Scalenes – inspiration and rib elevation
Abdominal Wall Muscles
Linea alba – tendinous area of the abdominal wall that
consists of white connective tissue
Rectus abdominis – located on each side of the linea
alba
Tendinous intersections – causes the abdominal wall of
a lean, well-muscled person to appear segmented
M o r a n o , M . A .
External/Internal abdominal oblique & Transversus
abdominis – flex and rotate the vertebral column or
compress the abdominal contents
Pelvic Floor and Perineal Muscles
Pelvic Floor – pelvic diaphragm
Levator ani – muscle that forms the pelvic floor
Perineum – associated with the male/female
reproductive structures
Perineum bulbospongiosus – constricts the urethra;
erects the penis, clitoris
Perineum ischiocavernosus – compresses the base of
penis/clitoris
Perineum external anal sphincter – keeps the orifice of
the anal canal closed
III. Upper Limb Muscles
Scapular Movements
§ Attach the scapula to the thorax and move the
scapula
§ Acts as fixators to hold the scapula firmly in
position when the muscle of the arm contract
§ Move the scapula into different positions
v Trapezius
v Levator scapulae
v Rhomboids
v Serratus anterior
v Pectoralis minor
Arm Movements
Pectoralis major – adducts the arm and flexes the
shoulder; extend the shoulder from a flexed position
Latissimus dorsi – swimmer’s muscle; medially rotates
and adducts the arm and powerfully extends the
shoulder
Rotator cuff muscles – attached the humerus to the
scapula and forms a cuff/cap over the proximal
humerus
Deltoid – attaches the humerus to the scapula and
clavicle; major abductor of the upper limb
Forearm Movements
Triceps brachii – primary extensor of the elbow
Biceps brachii & brachialis – primary flexors of the
elbow
Brachioradialis – posterior forearm muscle; helps flex
the elbow
Supination and Pronation
Supinator – supination of the forearm or turning the
flexed forearm so that the palm is up
Pronator – pronation, turning other forearm so that the
palm is down
Wrist and Finger Movements
Retinaculum – fibrous connective tissue that covers the
flexor & extensor tendons and holds them in place
around the wrist
Flexor carpi – flex the wrist
Extensor carpi – extend the wrist
Flexor digitorum – flexor of the digits/fingers
Extensor digitorum – extension of the fingers
Intrinsic hand muscles – 19 muscles located within the
hand
Interossei – responsible for abduction and adduction of
the fingers
Tennis elbow – inflammation and pain due to forceful,
repeated contraction of the wrist extensor muscles
Palmus longus – tightens palm skin
IV. Lower Limb Muscles
Thigh Movements
Iliopsoas – flexes the hip
Tensor fasciae latae – helps steady the femur on the tibi
when a person is standing
Gluteus maximus – extends the hip; adducts and
laterally rottes the thigh; contributes most of the mass
Gluteus medius – extends the hop when the thigh is
flexed at a 45O angle; common site for injections in the
buttocks (sciatic nerve lies deep to the g. maximus)
Leg Movements
Quadriceps femoris – primary extensors of the knee
Sartorius – tailor’s muscle; longest muscle in the body;
flexes the hip and knee; rotates the thigh laterally for
sitting cross legged
Hamstring muscles – flexing the knee
Adductor muscles – adducting the thigh
Ankle and Toe Movements
Gastrocnemius & Soleus – form the bulge of the calf
Calcaneal tendon – Achilles tendon; flexors and are
involved in plantar flexion of the foot
Fibularis muscles – primary everters of the foot; aid in
plantar flexion
Intrinsic foot muscles – flex, extend, abduct, and adduct
the toes
Extensor digitorum longus – extends 4 lateral toes,
everts foot
M o r a n o , M . A .
Extensor halluces longus – extends great toe; inverts
foot

Tibialis anterior – inverts foot

Fibularis tertius – everts foot

Flexor digitorum longus – flexes 4 lateral toes, inverts

foot

Flexor halluces longus – flexes great toe, inverts foot

Tibialis posterior – inverts foot

Fibularis brevis – everts foot

Fibularis longus – everts foot

Effects of Aging on Skeletal Muscle

§ Decreased muscle mass
§ Slower reaction time
§ Reduced stamina
§ Increased recovery time

Types of Muscular Tissue

I. Skeletal (striated voluntary)
§ Large, long, cylindrical cells
§ Multinucleated
§ Attached to bones
§ Responsible for body movement

II. Cardiac (striated involuntary)

§ Cylindrical cells
§ Branched and connected to one another by
intercalated disks
§ Single nucleated
§ Found in the heart
§ Pumps the blood

III. Smooth (nonstriated involuntary)

§ End tapered cells
§ Single nucleated
§ Found in hollow organs: stomach, intestine;
skin, eyes
§ Regulates size of organs, forces fluid through
tubes, controls the amount of light entering the
eye, produces ‘goose bumps’

M o r a n o , M . A .