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

Which protein is a thick filament involved in muscle contractions and contains heads that form cross-bridges?

Myosin

Actin

Troponin

Tropomyosin

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Begin by understanding the structure of muscle fibers, which are composed of myofibrils. Myofibrils contain repeating units called sarcomeres, the basic functional units of muscle contraction.

Identify the two main types of filaments within the sarcomere: thick filaments and thin filaments. Thick filaments are primarily composed of the protein myosin, while thin filaments are primarily composed of actin, along with regulatory proteins troponin and tropomyosin.

Focus on the role of myosin in muscle contraction. Myosin is a motor protein that forms the thick filaments. It has a tail and two heads, which are crucial for its function in muscle contraction.

Understand the mechanism of muscle contraction. Myosin heads bind to actin filaments to form cross-bridges. This interaction is essential for the sliding filament model of muscle contraction, where the myosin heads pull the actin filaments, causing the sarcomere to shorten and generate force.

Recognize the importance of cross-bridge formation. The myosin heads undergo a cycle of attachment, pivoting, detachment, and reattachment to actin, powered by ATP hydrolysis, which leads to muscle contraction.