Muscular System Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Extensibility means that muscles can be stretched to their normal resting length and beyond to a limited degree.

Contractility refers to the capacity of muscle to contract or shorten forcefully.

Elasticity means that if muscles are stretched, they recoil to their original resting length.

Excitability means that muscle responds to stimulation by nerves and hormones. Signup and view all the answers

Striated muscle tissue features repeating functional units called sarcomeres. Signup and view all the answers

A tendon is a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone. Signup and view all the answers

A fascicle is a separately published installment of a book or other printed work. Signup and view all the answers

A myofibril is any of the elongated contractile threads found in striated muscle cells. Signup and view all the answers

Cytokine is any of a number of substances secreted by immune system cells that affect other cells. Signup and view all the answers

Satellite cells are precursors to skeletal muscle cells, able to give rise to muscle cells. Signup and view all the answers

A muscle stem cell is a type of stem cell that resides in skeletal muscle and enables muscle regeneration. Signup and view all the answers

The main function of the muscular system is movement. Signup and view all the answers

Each skeletal muscle fiber is a single cylindrical muscle cell bundled together. Signup and view all the answers

Muscles repair by fusing damaged fibers together to form new muscle protein strands. Signup and view all the answers

The four characteristics are contractility, excitability, extensibility, and elasticity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Extensibility: Muscles can be stretched to their normal resting length and slightly beyond.
Contractility: Muscles have the ability to shorten forcefully, enabling movement.
Elasticity: Muscles return to their original resting length after being stretched.
Excitability: Muscles respond to nerve and hormone stimulation, allowing regulation of muscle activity by the nervous and endocrine systems.

Striated Muscle Tissue: Characterized by repeating units called sarcomeres, distinguishing it from non-striated smooth muscle.

Tendon: A strong fibrous cord that connects muscles to bones, allowing for movement transmission.
Fascicle: Bundles of muscle fibers within a skeletal muscle, contributing to its overall structure.
Myofibril: Elongated contractile threads within striated muscle cells responsible for muscle contraction.

Cytokines: Immune system substances affecting other cells, including interferon and interleukins.
Satellite Cells: Muscle precursor cells that can regenerate muscle fibers and add nuclei to existing muscle fibers.
Muscle Stem Cell: Found in skeletal muscle, these cells allow for complete regeneration of muscle tissue.

Main Function: Movement is the primary role of the muscular system, as muscles contract to move body parts.
Muscle Structure: Skeletal muscles are made up of cylindrical muscle fibers bundled together and enclosed in connective tissue.
Muscle Repair Process: Following exercise, damaged muscle fibers are repaired through fusion to create new protein strands, a process leading to muscle hypertrophy (growth).