Muscle Fibers and Functions

Study Notes

Muscle Tissue Properties

Excitability: Ability to respond to a stimulus, such as a nerve impulse
Contractility: Ability to shorten and thicken
Extensibility: Ability to stretch or lengthen
Elasticity: Ability to return to original shape after being stretched or shortened

Muscle Function

Movement: Muscles generate force to enable movement of the body and its parts.
Posture: Maintain body position by providing continuous tension
Heat production: Muscle contractions produce heat - important for maintaining body temperature
Protection: Muscles help to protect internal organs

Muscle Motion

Muscle contraction results in shortening the muscle fibers
This shortening pulls on a bone, causing it to move
Muscles work in pairs, with one muscle contracting and the other relaxing to create movement

Muscle Tension and Joint Positions

When muscles generate tension in a joint position that is already at its maximum range of motion, it can lead to:
- Strains: Overstretching or tearing of muscle fibers
- Sprains: Damage to ligaments, which connect bones to each other

Muscle Excitability

Irritability: the ability to respond to stimuli - is also known as excitability
Stimuli come in different forms:
- Nervous impulses
- Hormones
- Changes in temperature
- Chemicals

Description

Test your knowledge on different types of muscle fibers and their functions with this quiz. Learn about the different roles muscles play in human movement and how they contribute to our ability to exert force, hold positions, and generate speed.