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Questions and Answers
What is the function of the sarcolemma in skeletal muscle fibers?
What is the function of the sarcolemma in skeletal muscle fibers?
Which protein filaments are primarily responsible for muscle contractions?
Which protein filaments are primarily responsible for muscle contractions?
What is the approximate percentage of skeletal muscle in the human body?
What is the approximate percentage of skeletal muscle in the human body?
How many nerve endings typically innervate a skeletal muscle fiber?
How many nerve endings typically innervate a skeletal muscle fiber?
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What are the light bands in myofibrils known as?
What are the light bands in myofibrils known as?
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What is the composition of myofibrils in skeletal muscle fibers?
What is the composition of myofibrils in skeletal muscle fibers?
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What is the main role of tendon fibers in skeletal muscles?
What is the main role of tendon fibers in skeletal muscles?
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What is the diameter range of skeletal muscle fibers?
What is the diameter range of skeletal muscle fibers?
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What happens when a new molecule of ATP binds to the myosin head?
What happens when a new molecule of ATP binds to the myosin head?
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At what sarcomere length does the tension developed by muscle fibers reach zero?
At what sarcomere length does the tension developed by muscle fibers reach zero?
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What is the effect of increased sarcomere length beyond 2.2 micrometers on active tension?
What is the effect of increased sarcomere length beyond 2.2 micrometers on active tension?
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What occurs when a skeletal muscle contracts against no load?
What occurs when a skeletal muscle contracts against no load?
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When the load on a muscle equals the maximum force it can exert, what is the velocity of contraction?
When the load on a muscle equals the maximum force it can exert, what is the velocity of contraction?
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What is the relationship between muscle length and the force of contraction?
What is the relationship between muscle length and the force of contraction?
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How does muscle contraction velocity change as the load increases?
How does muscle contraction velocity change as the load increases?
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What occurs at a sarcomere length of about 2 micrometers during contraction?
What occurs at a sarcomere length of about 2 micrometers during contraction?
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What does the term 'active tension' refer to during muscle contraction?
What does the term 'active tension' refer to during muscle contraction?
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What are A bands primarily composed of?
What are A bands primarily composed of?
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What role do the projections from the myosin filaments serve?
What role do the projections from the myosin filaments serve?
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Which component aids in maintaining the position of myosin and actin filaments during contraction?
Which component aids in maintaining the position of myosin and actin filaments during contraction?
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What fluid fills the spaces between myofibrils in muscle fibers?
What fluid fills the spaces between myofibrils in muscle fibers?
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What is the primary function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle?
What is the primary function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle?
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What initiates the sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction?
What initiates the sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction?
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During muscle contraction, what happens to the length of the sarcomere?
During muscle contraction, what happens to the length of the sarcomere?
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What is the approximate length of a contracted sarcomere?
What is the approximate length of a contracted sarcomere?
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What effect does acetylcholine have on the muscle fiber membrane?
What effect does acetylcholine have on the muscle fiber membrane?
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What process occurs immediately after calcium ions are released into the muscle fiber?
What process occurs immediately after calcium ions are released into the muscle fiber?
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How are calcium ions returned to the sarcoplasmic reticulum post-contraction?
How are calcium ions returned to the sarcoplasmic reticulum post-contraction?
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Which of the following describes the state of the sarcomere in a relaxed muscle?
Which of the following describes the state of the sarcomere in a relaxed muscle?
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What mechanism does the muscle contraction primarily involve?
What mechanism does the muscle contraction primarily involve?
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What initiates the contraction of muscle fibers?
What initiates the contraction of muscle fibers?
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What is the primary role of the myosin head during contraction?
What is the primary role of the myosin head during contraction?
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How is the structure of a myosin filament primarily characterized?
How is the structure of a myosin filament primarily characterized?
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What prevents actin and myosin interaction in the resting state?
What prevents actin and myosin interaction in the resting state?
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What structural feature of the myosin filaments aids in muscle contraction?
What structural feature of the myosin filaments aids in muscle contraction?
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Which molecule is critical for exposing active sites on actin filaments?
Which molecule is critical for exposing active sites on actin filaments?
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What is the molecular weight of a myosin molecule?
What is the molecular weight of a myosin molecule?
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What characteristic of actin filaments facilitates muscle contraction?
What characteristic of actin filaments facilitates muscle contraction?
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What is the primary function of tropomyosin in muscle contraction?
What is the primary function of tropomyosin in muscle contraction?
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What gives the myosin head its ability to cleave ATP?
What gives the myosin head its ability to cleave ATP?
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What role does troponin play in the context of muscle contraction?
What role does troponin play in the context of muscle contraction?
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What effect does an action potential have on the sarcoplasmic reticulum?
What effect does an action potential have on the sarcoplasmic reticulum?
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How is the length of each myosin filament typically described?
How is the length of each myosin filament typically described?
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What is the molecular structure of actin filaments composed of?
What is the molecular structure of actin filaments composed of?
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Which subunit of the troponin complex has a strong affinity for calcium ions?
Which subunit of the troponin complex has a strong affinity for calcium ions?
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What is the role of the troponin-tropomyosin complex in muscle contraction?
What is the role of the troponin-tropomyosin complex in muscle contraction?
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What triggers the conformational change of the troponin complex?
What triggers the conformational change of the troponin complex?
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How does the walk-along theory of contraction describe the movement of actin filaments?
How does the walk-along theory of contraction describe the movement of actin filaments?
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What is the primary energy source for muscle contraction?
What is the primary energy source for muscle contraction?
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During the contraction process, what happens to ATP?
During the contraction process, what happens to ATP?
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What happens immediately after the myosin head tilts to provide the power stroke?
What happens immediately after the myosin head tilts to provide the power stroke?
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What effect does calcium have on the troponin-tropomyosin complex?
What effect does calcium have on the troponin-tropomyosin complex?
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What phenomenon describes the increase in ATP consumption as muscle work increases?
What phenomenon describes the increase in ATP consumption as muscle work increases?
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Which of the following is NOT a component of the troponin complex?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the troponin complex?
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What happens to the active sites on the actin filament during relaxation?
What happens to the active sites on the actin filament during relaxation?
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What is believed to cause the power stroke in the myosin head?
What is believed to cause the power stroke in the myosin head?
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How many calcium ions can one molecule of troponin C bond with?
How many calcium ions can one molecule of troponin C bond with?
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Flashcards
Sarcolemma
Sarcolemma
A thin membrane surrounding a skeletal muscle fiber, consisting of a plasma membrane and a thin layer of polysaccharide material with collagen fibrils. It fuses with tendon fibers at each end of the muscle fiber.
Myosin & Actin Filaments
Myosin & Actin Filaments
Large protein molecules that are responsible for muscle contraction, found within myofibrils. There are two types: thick filaments are myosin, and thin filaments are actin.
Myofibrils
Myofibrils
Bundles of protein filaments (myosin and actin) found within muscle fibers. Their arrangement causes light and dark bands, giving skeletal muscle a striated appearance.
Skeletal Muscle Fiber
Skeletal Muscle Fiber
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A-bands
A-bands
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I-bands
I-bands
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Z-line
Z-line
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Sarcomere
Sarcomere
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Cross-bridges
Cross-bridges
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Sliding Filament Mechanism
Sliding Filament Mechanism
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Titin
Titin
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Sarcoplasm
Sarcoplasm
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Sarcoplasmic Reticulum
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum
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Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
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Acetylcholine-gated Cation Channels
Acetylcholine-gated Cation Channels
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Voltage-gated Sodium Channels
Voltage-gated Sodium Channels
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Depolarization
Depolarization
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Calcium Ion Release
Calcium Ion Release
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Calcium Ion Reuptake
Calcium Ion Reuptake
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Actin Filaments
Actin Filaments
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Myosin Filaments
Myosin Filaments
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Myosin Head Detachment
Myosin Head Detachment
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Myosin Head Recocking
Myosin Head Recocking
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Power Stroke Initiation
Power Stroke Initiation
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Filament Overlap and Tension
Filament Overlap and Tension
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Maximum Tension Point
Maximum Tension Point
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Actin Filament Overlap
Actin Filament Overlap
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Sarcomere Length and Tension
Sarcomere Length and Tension
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Whole Muscle Tension
Whole Muscle Tension
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Active Tension and Muscle Length
Active Tension and Muscle Length
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Contraction Velocity and Load
Contraction Velocity and Load
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Sliding Filament Theory
Sliding Filament Theory
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Myosin Head
Myosin Head
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Cross-Bridge Cycle
Cross-Bridge Cycle
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Myosin ATPase
Myosin ATPase
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Tropomyosin
Tropomyosin
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Troponin
Troponin
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Calcium Release
Calcium Release
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Action Potential
Action Potential
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Relaxed Muscle
Relaxed Muscle
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Contracted Muscle
Contracted Muscle
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Z Disk
Z Disk
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H Zone
H Zone
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Troponin Complex
Troponin Complex
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Walk-Along Theory of Contraction
Walk-Along Theory of Contraction
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Active Sites on Actin Filament
Active Sites on Actin Filament
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Myosin Cross-bridge
Myosin Cross-bridge
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ATP Cleavage
ATP Cleavage
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Activation of Actin by Calcium Ions
Activation of Actin by Calcium Ions
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Troponin C’s Affinity for Calcium Ions
Troponin C’s Affinity for Calcium Ions
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Force of Contraction
Force of Contraction
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ATP
ATP
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Contracting Muscle
Contracting Muscle
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Power Stroke
Power Stroke
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Inhibition of Actin Filament
Inhibition of Actin Filament
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Study Notes
Skeletal Muscle Structure and Function
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Skeletal muscle comprises ~40% of total body mass, with additional ~10% from smooth and cardiac muscle
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Skeletal muscle function is detailed in this chapter, with smooth and cardiac muscle covered in subsequent chapters.
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Skeletal muscle fibers (10-80 µm in diameter) extend the length of the muscle.
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Nearly all fibers (~98%) are innervated by a single nerve ending, usually near the center.
Sarcolemma
- The sarcolemma, a thin membrane, encloses each muscle fiber. It consists of a plasma membrane and an outer polysaccharide layer with collagen fibrils.
- At fiber ends, the sarcolemma fuses with tendon fibers, which collect to form muscle tendons, connecting muscles to bones.
Myofibrils
- Muscle fibers contain hundreds/thousands of myofibrils, composed of 1500 myosin and 3000 actin filaments.
- These protein filaments are responsible for contraction.
- Arrangement creates alternating light and dark bands (striations) in myofibrils and whole muscle fibers.
Sarcomeres
- The sarcomere is the functional unit of a myofibril, lying between two Z disks.
- During contraction, the sarcomere shortens to ~2 µm, maximum force generation.
- Actin filaments fully overlap myosin for maximum force.
Titin Filaments
- Titin filaments (very large, springy proteins) maintain myosin-actin alignment.
- One end attaches to Z disks, and the other to myosin.
- Titin may play a role in sarcomere formation.
Sarcoplasm
- Sarcoplasm is the intracellular fluid between myofibrils, containing high K+, Mg2+, phosphate, protein enzymes, and extensive mitochondria (ATP production).
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum
- Specialized endoplasmic reticulum in muscle fibers, crucial for Ca2+ storage/release/reuptake.
- Rapidly contracting muscles have more extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Muscle Contraction Steps
- Nerve impulse releases neurotransmitter acetylcholine at neuromuscular junction
- Acetylcholine opens cation channels, depolarizes muscle fiber membrane.
- Depolarization initiates action potential along muscle fiber membrane.
- Action potential travels through muscle fiber and triggers Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum.
- Calcium ions initiate actin-myosin interaction leading to sliding filament mechanism.
- Active transport pumps Ca2+ back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, ending contraction.
Sliding Filament Mechanism
- Muscle contraction involves actin filaments sliding past myosin filaments.
- Z-disks and associated actin filaments are drawn inward during contraction, increasing overlap between actin and myosin.
Myosin Filament Structure
- Myosin is composed of 2 heavy chains and 4 light chains arranged in a double helix tail with globular heads.
- Many myosin molecules assemble to form a myosin filament.
- Myosin heads (cross-bridges) are flexible & involved in contraction.
- Myosin filaments are ~1.6 µm long with a 0.2 µm central region without heads.
Actin Filament Structure
- Actin filament's backbone is a double-stranded F-actin helix with G-actin monomers in a polymerized structure.
- Active sites on G-actin are active areas for myosin interaction.
- Tropomyosin spirals around F-actin, covering active sites in resting state.
Troponin
- Troponin is a complex of three proteins associated with tropomyosin.
- Troponin I interacts with actin, Troponin T interacts with tropomyosin, Troponin C interacts with calcium.
Muscle Contraction: Inhibition by Troponin-Tropomyosin
- The troponin-tropomyosin complex inhibits interaction between actin and myosin in the relaxed muscle.
Muscle Contraction: Activation by Calcium Ions
- Ca2+ binding to troponin C causes a conformational change in troponin complex.
- This shifts tropomyosin, exposing actin's active sites for myosin binding.
Walk-Along Theory
- Myosin heads bind, tilt (power stroke), detach, and rebind further along actin to cause continuous pulling.
ATP Role in Contraction
- ATP provides energy for myosin head movement.
- Myosin ATPase cleaves ATP, energizing head for power stroke.
Sarcomere Length and Contraction Tension
- Maximum tension occurs when actin filaments overlap myosin.
- Tension reduces when sarcomeres are stretched widely or shortened to overlap the filaments too tightly.
Whole Muscle and Contraction
- Whole muscle tension curves reflect similar behavior to single fibers, but with influences from connective tissue and variations in sarcomere contraction.
- Maximum force occurs at normal resting sarcomere length (~2µm).
- Force decreases beyond this length.
Contraction Velocity and Load
- Muscle contraction velocity decreases with increasing load.
- Zero velocity results with load matching maximum muscle force.
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Description
This quiz explores the intricate structure and function of skeletal muscle, which constitutes a significant portion of total body mass. It covers essential components such as the sarcolemma and myofibrils, and how they contribute to muscle contraction. Understand the significance of muscle fibers and their innervation.