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

Structure of a Skeletal Muscle

Anatomy & Physiology

9. Muscle Tissue

Structure of a Skeletal Muscle

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

What is a striation in skeletal muscle, and how does it contribute to muscle cell function?

A striation is a layer of fat that insulates muscle cells and aids in energy storage.

A striation is a repeating pattern of sarcomeres that allows for efficient contraction of muscle cells.

A striation is a type of muscle fiber that stores calcium ions for muscle contraction.

A striation is a band of connective tissue that provides structural support to muscle cells.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of skeletal muscle: Skeletal muscle is composed of long, cylindrical cells known as muscle fibers. These fibers contain multiple nuclei and are packed with myofibrils, which are the contractile elements of the muscle.

Learn about sarcomeres: Sarcomeres are the basic functional units of myofibrils. They are arranged in a repeating pattern along the length of the myofibril and are responsible for muscle contraction.

Identify the role of striations: Striations are the visible bands seen in skeletal muscle under a microscope. These bands are formed by the arrangement of sarcomeres within the myofibrils. The alternating light and dark bands are due to the organization of actin and myosin filaments within the sarcomeres.

Explore how striations contribute to muscle function: The repeating pattern of sarcomeres allows for efficient contraction of muscle cells. When a muscle contracts, the sarcomeres shorten, pulling the actin and myosin filaments past each other, which results in the shortening of the muscle fiber.

Clarify misconceptions: Striations are not layers of fat, nor are they muscle fibers that store calcium ions or bands of connective tissue. They are integral to the structure and function of muscle cells, facilitating the contraction process.