Chapter 10

Muscular
Tissue
Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter you should be able to:

 Describe and explain the characteristics and function of the 3 types
of muscular tissue
 Name and describe the components and organization of skeletal
muscle as well as how this contributes to contraction and relaxation
 Describe energy use in muscle cells (including metabolism and
fatigue)
 Explain the development and regeneration of muscle and how this

relates to aging muscle tissue

 Functions of Muscular Tissue
• Muscle makes up a large percentage of the body's weight
• Their main functions are to:
• Create motion – muscles work with nerves, bones, and

joints to produce body movements

• Stabilize body positions and maintain posture
• Store substances within the body using sphincters
• Move substances by contractions
• Generate heat through thermogenesis
 Properties of Muscular Tissue
• Like nervous tissue, muscles are excitable or "irritable”
they have the ability to respond to a stimulus

• Unlike nerves, however, muscles are also:

• Contractible (they can shorten
in length)
• Extensible (they can extend or
stretch)
• Elastic (they can return to their
original shape)
 Three Types of Muscular Tissue
Location Function Appearance Control

Skeletal striated, multi-

movement,
skeleton nucleated (eccentric), voluntary
heat, posture
fibers parallel

Cardiac
pump blood striated, one central
heart involuntary
continuously nucleus

Visceral Peristalsis,
(smooth muscle) G.I. tract,
blood pressure, no striations, one
uterus, eye, involuntary
pupil size, central nucleus
blood vessels
erects hairs
 Skeletal Muscle
Location Function Appearance Control

Skeletal striated, multi-

movement,
skeleton nucleated (eccentric), voluntary
heat, posture
fibers parallel

Cardiac
pump blood striated, one central
heart involuntary
continuously nucleus

Visceral Peristalsis,
G.I. tract,
(smooth muscle) blood pressure, no striations, one
uterus, eye, involuntary
pupil size, central nucleus
blood vessels
erects hairs
 Organization of Muscle Tissue

• Connective tissues, called fascia, surround and protect

muscular tissue.
• Muscle fascia holds muscles with similar

functions together and carries nerves and

vessels that support the muscle cells

• Three layers of connective tissue extending

from the fascia are: epimysium, perimysium,

and endomysium.
Organization of Muscle Tissue
Organization of
Muscle Tissue

Organization of a single muscle belly

Organization of Muscle Tissue

Organization of a fascicle
 Organization of Muscle Tissue

Organization of a
muscle fiber
 The Skeletal Muscle Fiber
• Beneath the connective tissue endomysium is found
the plasma membrane (called the sarcolemma) of an
individual skeletal muscle fiber
• The cytoplasm (sarcoplasm) of skeletal muscle fibers
is chocked full of
contractile proteins
arranged in myofibrils
 The Skeletal Muscle Fiber
• You should learn the names of the internal structures of
the muscle fiber
• Sarcolemma
• Sarcoplasm
• Myofibril
• T-tubules
• Triad (with
terminal cisterns)
• Sarcoplasmic reticulum
• Sarcomere
The Skeletal
Muscle Fiber
 The Skeletal Muscle Fiber
• Increasing the level of magnification, the myofibrils
(contractile elements)
are seen to be
composed
of filaments
• Thick filaments
• Thin filaments
 The Skeletal Muscle Fiber
The basic functional unit of skeletal muscle fibers is the
sarcomere: An arrangement of thick and thin filaments
sandwiched between two Z discs

A scanning electron micrograph of a sarcomere

 The Skeletal Muscle Fiber
Muscle contraction occurs in the sarcomeres

The “Z line” is really a Z disc when considered in 3

dimensions. A sarcomere extends from Z disc to Z disc.
Components of a Sarcomere
 Muscle Proteins
Myofibrils are built from three groups of proteins:
1. Contractile proteins generate force during contraction
(actin and myosin)
2. Regulatory proteins help switch the contraction process
on and off (tropomyosin and troponin)
3. Structural proteins keep the thick and thin filaments in
proper alignment and link the myofibrils to the
sarcolemma and extracellular matrix
 Muscle Proteins – Contractile
• In the thin filaments actin proteins are strung together like
a string of pearls

• In the thick filaments myosin proteins look like golf clubs

bound together
 Muscle Proteins – Regulatory
• In this first graphic, the myosin binding sites on the actin
proteins are readily visible.

• The regulatory proteins troponin and tropomyosin have

been added to the bottom graphic: The myosin binding
sites have been
covered

AT&T
 Muscle Proteins – Regulatory
• In this graphic the troponin-tropomyosin complex has slid
down into the “gutters” of the actin molecule unblocking
the myosin binding site
Myosin binding site exposed

• The troponin-tropomyosin complex can slide back and

forth depending on the presence of Ca2+
 Muscle Proteins – Regulatory

• Ca2+ binds to troponin which changes the shape of the

troponin-tropomyosin complex and uncovers the myosin
binding sites on actin
• When the myosin binding site on the actin is exposed the
myosin head can attach so a contraction can take place
 Muscle Proteins – Structural
• Besides contractile and regulatory proteins, muscle contains
about a dozen structural proteins which contribute to the
alignment, stability, elasticity, and extensibility of myofibrils
• Titin is the third most plentiful protein in muscle, after actin
and myosin - it extends from the Z disc to the M line and
accounts for much of the elasticity of myofibrils
• Dystrophin links filaments to integral membrane proteins.
Reinforces the sarcolemma and transmits tension from the
sarcomere to tendons
• Myomesin links adjacent thick filaments and forms the M line
Summary of Muscle Fiber Proteins
 Contraction and

Relaxation of

Skeletal Muscle Fibers

 The Sliding Filament Mechanism

With exposure of the myosin binding sites on actin (the thin

filaments)—in the presence of Ca2+ and ATP—the thick and
thin filaments “slide” on one another (Z discs move toward
each other) and the sarcomere is shortened.
 The Sliding Filament Mechanism

The “sliding” of actin on myosin (thick filaments on thin

filaments) can be broken down into a 4 step process …
• Step 1: ATP hydrolysis
The
Myosin
Head includes an
ATP binding site
And an ATPase, an enzyme
That hydrolyzes ATP into
ADP and a phosphate group.
This hydrolysis reorients and
Energizes myosin head. ADP
And the phosphate group are
Still attached to myosin head.
Step 2: Attachment
The energized myosin head
Will attach to the myosin-
Binding side on actin and releases
The previously hydrolyzed Phosphate group.
When myosin head is attached to
Actin during contraction, they are
referred as cross-bridges.
• Step 3: Power Stroke
Occurs after the
Crossbridge formed.
The site on cross-bridge
Where ADP is still bound
opens. As a result, the
cross- bridge Rotates and releases ADP.
The cross-bridge generate force as
it rotates towards the center
of sarcomere, sliding the thin filament past
The thick filament toward the M line.
-Step 4: Detachment
The cross-bridge is firmly
Attached to actin until it attached
a new molecule of ATP. As ATP binds
To ATP binding site, on the myosin head,
The myosin head detaches from actin.
The Contraction Cycle
Rigor Mortis
 Contraction and Movement Overview
Interactions Animation

• Contraction and Movement

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kFmbrRJq4w
 Length-Tension Relationship
Sarcomere shortening produces tension within a muscle

Compressed
thick
filaments

Limited contact
between actin
and myosin
 Excitation-Contraction Coupling
This concept connects the events of a muscle action potential with the sliding
filament mechanism( Before the contraction cycle begins, the calcium has to be
present. In order for Calcium to be present, in a skeletal muscle fibers we have
terminal cisterns of sarcoplasmic reticulum( it’s an organ where we store Ca ions). In
order for the myosin binding-site to be exposed, Ca has to be present in the
contraction cycle. Calcium is released from the terminal cisterns and attaches to
tropin-tropomyosin complex , and that will allow the contraction cycle to take place.
The stimulation of Ca released come from communication from somatic neurons.
 Neuromuscular Junction
Understanding the ways that events contribute to muscle
contractions happening involves the contraction cycle AND
events at the junction between a motor neuron and a skeletal
muscle fiber – Excitation-Contraction coupling (EC coupling)
 Neuromuscular Junction
An enlarged view of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ)
The presynaptic membrane is on the neuron while the
postsynaptic membrane is the motor end plate on the
muscle cell. The two membranes are
separated by a space,
or “cleft”
 Neuromuscular Junction
• Conscious thought (to move a muscle) results in activation of a motor neuron, and release of the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) at the NM junction
• The enzyme
acetylcholinesterase
breaks down ACh
after a short period
of time.
( The electrical signals
are going to be received or
transmitted down the Axons to
The synaptic end bulb or somatic
neurons. That electrical signal is going to
stimulate the release of neurotransmitters( ACH Acetylcholine). Then it’s going to cross the synaptic
cleft and attach to the receptors of sarcolemma. Then channels will open and allow ions to pass.
 Neuromuscular Junction
• The plasma membrane on the “far side” of the NMJ belongs
to the muscle cell and is called the motor end plate
• The motor end plate is rich in chemical (ligand) - gated
sodium channels that respond to ACh. Another way to say
this: The receptors for ACh are on the ligand-gated sodium
channels on the motor end plate
The Neuromuscular Junction
 Muscle Action Potential
By placing a micropipette inside a muscle cell, and then
measuring the electrical potential across the cell membrane,
the phases of an
action potential
(AP) can be
graphed (as in this
figure)
 Muscle Action Potential
The behavior of the Na+
and K+ channels, at various
points in the AP, are seen
in this graphic
• Na+ gates open during the

depolarization phase
• K+ gates open during the

repolarization phase
 Generating An Action Potential

• Generating an AP on the muscle membrane

involves the transfer of information from an
electrical signal (down the neuron), to a chemical
signal (at the NMJ), back to an electrical signal
(depolarization of the sarcolemma)
Excitation-Contraction Coupling
 Excitation-Contraction Coupling
• EC coupling involves putting it all together
• The thought process going on in the brain
• The AP arriving at the neuromuscular junction
• The regeneration of an AP on the muscle membrane
• Release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
• Sliding of thick on thin filaments in sarcomeres
• Generation of muscle tension (work)
 Excitation-Contraction Coupling
Role Players in E-C coupling
• The brain
• The motor neuron
• Acetylcholine (ACh)
• Acetylcholinesterase enzyme
• ACh receptors on the
• motor endplate
• Na+-K+ channels on the
sarcolemma
• Na+ flow
• K+ flow
• Regenerate AP
• The T-tubules
• The SR
• Ca2+ release
• Troponin/Tropomyosin
• ATP
• Myosin binding
• Filaments slide
• Muscles contract
 Muscle Metabolism
• Stored ATP
• 3 seconds

• Energy transferred from stored creatine phosphate

• 12 seconds
• Anaerobic glucose use
• 30-40 seconds
• Aerobic ATP production
Sources of Muscle Energy
Sources of Muscle Energy
Sources of Muscle Energy
 Muscle Fatigue
Inability of the muscle to maintain force of contraction after
prolonged activity is called muscle fatigue and results from:
Central Fatigue
Peripheral fatigue
 Inadequate release of Ca2+ from the SR
 Reduced O2
 Reduced Cr Ph
 Reduced glycogen
 Buildup of H+
 Problems with Ach receptors or release
 Skeletal Muscle Metabolism
Oxygen Debt or "Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption"
(EPOC) is the amount of O2 repayment required after exercise

in skeletal muscle to:

• Replenish ATP stores
• Replenish creatine phosphate and myoglobin stores
• Convert lactic acid back into pyruvate so it can be used in
the Krebs cycle to replenish ATP
 The Motor Unit

Florescent dye is used to show the terminal processes of a single

neuron which terminate on a few muscle fibers
 The Motor Unit
Motor Unit is composed of a motor neuron plus all of the muscle
cells it innervates
 High precision

• Fewer muscle fibers per neuron

• Laryngeal and extraocular muscles (2-20)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDldZrAeZQ8
 Low precision

• Many muscle fibers per neuron

• Thigh muscles (2,000-3,000)

 The Motor Unit

Activities requiring extreme precision (like the subtle and rapid

movements of the eye) involve muscles with very small motor units
(1-4 muscle fibers/neuron)
 Control of Muscle Tension

The strength of a muscle contraction depends on how many

motor units are activated
• A motor unit consists of a somatic motor neuron and the
muscle fibers it innervates
• Activating only a few motor units will generally result in a
weak muscle contraction
• Activating many motor units will generally result in a
strong muscle contraction
 Control of Muscle Tension
All-or-none principle of muscle contraction
• When an individual muscle fiber is stimulated to
depolarization, and an action potential is propagated along
its sarcolemma, it must contract to it's full force—it can't
partially contract
• Also, when a single motor unit is recruited to contract, all
the muscle fibers in that motor unit must all contract at
the same time
 Tension in a Muscle
• There is a brief delay called the latent period as the AP
sweeps over the sarcolemma and Ca2+ ions are released from
the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)
• During the next phase the fiber is actively contracting
• This is followed by relaxation as the Ca2+ ions are re-
sequestered into the SR and myosin binding sites are covered
by tropomyosin
• Temporary loss of excitability is call the refractory period – all
muscle fibers in a motor unit will not respond to a stimulus
during this short time
 Tension in a Muscle
A twitch is recorded when a stimulus that results in
contraction (force) of a single muscle fiber is measured over a
very brief millisecond time frame
 Tension in a Muscle
• Applying increased numbers of action potentials to a muscle
fiber (or a fascicle, a muscle, or a muscle group) results in
fusion of contractions (tetanus) and the performance of
useful work
 Tension in a Muscle
Two motor units, one in green, the other in purple,
demonstrate the concept of progressive activation of a muscle
known as recruitment
• Recruitment allows a muscle to accomplish increasing

gradations of contractile strength

 Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types
• Skeletal muscle fibers are not all alike in appearance or
function. By appearance:
• Red muscle fibers (the dark meat in chicken legs) have a
high myoglobin content, more mitochondria, more energy
stores, and a greater blood supply
• White muscle fibers (the white meat in chicken breasts)
have less myoglobin, mitochondria, and blood supply
 Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types
• Slow oxidative fibers (SO) are small, appear dark red, are the
least powerful type. They are very fatigue resistant
• Used for endurance like walking
• Fast oxidative-glycolytic fibers (FOG) are intermediate in size,
appear red-pink, and are moderately resistant to fatigue.
• Used for most weightlifting activities
• Fast glycolytic fibers (FG) are large, white, and powerful
• Suited to intense anaerobic activity of short duration
Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types
 Skeletal Muscle Fiber Types
• Most skeletal muscles are a mixture of all three types of
skeletal muscle fibers; about half the fibers in a typical
skeletal muscle are slow oxidative (SO) fibers
• Within a particular motor unit all the skeletal muscle
fibers are the same type
• The different motor units in a muscle are recruited in a
specific order depending on the task being performed
(fast anaerobic activity for maximal force, etc.)
 Muscle Contraction
• Isotonic contractions results in movement
• Concentric isotonic is a type of muscle contraction in
which the muscle shorten while generating force
• Eccentric isotonic is a contraction in which muscle
tension is less than the resistance (the muscle
lengthens)
• Isometric contractions results in no movement
• Muscle force and resistance are equal
• Supporting objects in a fixed position and posture
 Imbalances of Homeostasis
Aging
• In part due to decreased levels of physical activity, with
aging humans undergo a slow, progressive loss of
skeletal muscle mass that is replaced largely by fibrous
connective tissue and adipose tissue
• Muscle strength at 85 is about half that at age 25
• Compared to the other two fiber types, the relative
number of slow oxidative fibers appears to increase