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Quadrupedal Mechanics - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 01:06, 20 June 2013
, 01:06, 20 June 2013→Sliding filaments and the site of the contractile force
==='''Sliding filaments and the site of the contractile force'''===
==='''Sliding filaments and the site of the contractile force'''===
[[File:QMFig 4.3.png|thumb|'''Fig.4.3 Sliding filaments in muscle''' ]]
Muscle contraction is caused by a sliding of the two sets of filaments past each other. The action sites are the crossbridges between the heads of the myosin molecules and the thin filaments. Crossbridges on opposite ends of the thick filaments are directed in opposite directions. Stimulation of activity at the crossbridges therefore creates a mechanical force tending to bring the thick and thin filaments into greater overlap, decreasing the distance between the Z discs, or sarcomere length, and shortening the muscle. The sarcomere is therefore the fundamental contractile unit of muscle.
Muscle contraction is caused by a sliding of the two sets of filaments past each other. The action sites are the crossbridges between the heads of the myosin molecules and the thin filaments. Crossbridges on opposite ends of the thick filaments are directed in opposite directions. Stimulation of activity at the crossbridges therefore creates a mechanical force tending to bring the thick and thin filaments into greater overlap, decreasing the distance between the Z discs, or sarcomere length, and shortening the muscle. The sarcomere is therefore the fundamental contractile unit of muscle.
==='''Linear motors'''===
==='''Linear motors'''===