Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

9. Muscle Tissue

Steps of Muscle Contraction

Anatomy & Physiology

9. Muscle Tissue

Steps of Muscle Contraction

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with Anatomy & Physiology?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following correctly represents the first step in the process of skeletal muscle contraction?

Power stroke of the myosin head

Release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction

Binding of calcium to troponin

Detachment of myosin from actin

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the process of skeletal muscle contraction, which begins at the neuromuscular junction where a motor neuron communicates with a muscle fiber.

Recognize that the first step involves the release of acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter, from the motor neuron into the synaptic cleft at the neuromuscular junction.

Learn that acetylcholine binds to receptors on the muscle cell membrane (sarcolemma), leading to the opening of ion channels and the generation of an action potential in the muscle fiber.

Understand that the action potential travels along the sarcolemma and into the T-tubules, triggering the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the cytoplasm of the muscle cell.

Note that calcium ions bind to troponin, causing a conformational change that moves tropomyosin away from the binding sites on actin, allowing the myosin heads to interact with actin and initiate contraction.