Muscular Tissue Overview

A structural and functional unit of a muscle, responsible for contraction.

The plasma membrane of a muscle cell, surrounding the sarcoplasm.

The cytoplasm of a muscle cell, filled with myofibrils and other organelles.

A specialized smooth endoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells, responsible for storing and releasing calcium ions for muscle contraction.

The basic unit of contraction in skeletal and cardiac muscle, extending from one Z line to the next.

A dark band in the sarcomere, composed of thick myosin filaments.

A light band in the sarcomere, composed of thin actin filaments.

A thin line in the middle of the I band, where thin actin filaments are attached.

A pale area in the middle of the A band, where thick myosin filaments are found.

A dark line in the middle of the H zone, where thick myosin filaments are connected.

A network of tubules that surround the myofibrils in muscle cells, important for transmitting nerve impulses to stimulate muscle contraction.

A specialized structure found in skeletal muscle that consists of two terminal cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum flanking a T tubule.

The connective tissue that surrounds a bundle of muscle fibers.

The connective tissue that surrounds an individual muscle fiber.

The connective tissue that surrounds the entire muscle.

A type of muscle tissue that is attached to bones, striated, and voluntary.

A type of muscle tissue that is found in the heart, striated, and involuntary.

A type of muscle tissue that is found in the walls of internal organs, non-striated, and involuntary.

A protein found in thick filaments of muscle fibers, responsible for muscle contraction.

A protein found in thin filaments of muscle fibers, responsible for muscle contraction.

Muscle fibers that are rich in myoglobin, have high oxidative capacity, and are slow-twitch.

Muscle fibers that are low in myoglobin, have high glycolytic capacity, and are fast-twitch.

Muscle fibers that are intermediate in characteristics between red and white muscle fibers.

A red pigment found in muscle cells, that binds to oxygen and facilitates oxygen delivery to the muscle.

A type of cell that is found in skeletal muscle, responsible for muscle regeneration.

A specialized junction between two cardiac muscle fibers, allowing for rapid communication and synchronized contraction.

A type of protein found in muscle fibers, that helps to form the cytoskeleton and provides structural support.

A process by which muscle fibers contract and produce force.

A type of protein that binds to calcium and plays a role in muscle contraction.

A type of protein that blocks the binding site for myosin on actin, preventing muscle contraction until calcium is present.

Process of muscle fiber shortening which results in muscle contraction.