Edexcel International A Level Biology

Revision Notes

7.10 The Muscle Fibre

Muscle Fibre: Structure

  • Skeletal muscle makes up the muscles in the body that are attached to the skeleton
  • Skeletal muscle is made up of muscle fibres
  • A muscle fibre is a highly specialised cell-like unit:
    • Each muscle fibre:
      • Contains an organised arrangement of contractile proteins in the cytoplasm
      • Is surrounded by a cell surface membrane
      • Contains many nuclei (multi-nucleated– this is why muscle fibres are not usually referred to as cells
  • The different parts of a muscle fibre have different names to the equivalent parts of a normal cell:
    • Cell surface membrane = sarcolemma
    • Cytoplasm = sarcoplasm
    • Endoplasmic reticulum = sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)
  • The sarcolemma has many deep tube-like projections that fold in from its outer surface:
    • These are known as transverse system tubules or T-tubules
    • These run close to the SR and help spread electrical impulses throughout muscle fibre
  • The sarcoplasm contains mitochondria and myofibrils
    • The mitochondria carry out aerobic respiration to generate the ATP required for muscle contraction
    • Myofibrils are bundles of actin and myosin filaments, which slide past each other during muscle contraction
  • The membranes of the SR contain protein pumps that transport calcium ions into the lumen of the SR
    • Calcium ions are needed for the contraction of muscle

Ultrastructure of striated muscle (1)_1Ultrastructure of striated muscle (2)_1

The ultrastructure of skeletal muscle and of a section of muscle fibre

Myofibrils

  • Myofibrils are located in the sarcoplasm
  • Each myofibril is made up of two types of protein filament:
    • Thick filaments made of myosin
    • Thin filaments made of actin
  • These two types of filaments are arranged in a particular order, creating different types of bands and lines

Myofibrils Parts & Descriptions Table

Myofibrils parts & descriptions table

Structure of a myofibril (1)Structure of a myofibril (2)

The structure of a myofibril

Fast & Slow Twitch Muscle Fibres

  • There are two types of muscle fibres found in muscles
    • Fast twitch fibres
    • Slow twitch fibres
  • Human muscles are made up of both types of muscle fibres
  • Some muscles have higher proportions of a particular fibre type due to their different properties

Fast twitch muscle fibres

  • Fast twitch muscle fibres contract rapidly
    • The myosin heads bind and unbind from the actin-binding sites five times faster than slow twitch muscle fibres
    • Their rapid contraction-relaxation cycle means they need large amounts of calcium ions present to stimulate contraction
  • They rely on anaerobic respiration for ATP supply
  • They are suited to short bursts of high-intensity activity as they fatigue quickly due to the lactate produced from anaerobic respiration
  • These muscle fibres are often found in high proportions in the limbs of animals that flee a predator or hunt prey at high speeds
    • For example, the wings of a robin and legs of a cheetah
  • There are high proportions of fast twitch muscle fibres in human eyelids
    • They contract in short bursts and do not need to sustain the rapid movement
  • Fast twitch muscle fibres have fewer capillaries
    • Blood containing glucose and oxygen flow through the capillaries
    • This means they have quite a slow supply of oxygen and glucose for aerobic respiration
  • Low amounts of myoglobin are present in fast twitch muscle fibres
    • Myoglobin is a red pigment molecule that is similar to haemoglobin
    • Myoglobin functions as a store of oxygen in muscles and increases the rate of oxygen absorption from the capillaries
  • Due to this fast twitch muscle fibres appear paler in colour than slow muscle fibres

Slow twitch muscle fibres

  • Slow twitch muscle fibres contract more slowly and are suited to sustained activities like walking and perching
  • They rely on aerobic respiration for ATP
  • They fatigue less quickly due to less lactate production, making them ideal for endurance
  • These muscle fibres are often found in high proportions in the limbs of animals that migrate or stalk prey over long distances
    • For example, the wings of geese and legs of wolves
  • Human back muscles have a high proportion of slow twitch muscle fibres
    • These muscles have to contract for long periods of time in order to keep the skeleton erect when standing or sitting
  • Slow twitch muscle fibres have a denser network of capillaries
    • Blood containing glucose and oxygen flows through the capillaries
    • This means they have a short diffusion distance and a good supply of oxygen and glucose for aerobic respiration
  • High amounts of myoglobin, haemoglobin and mitochondria are present in slow twitch muscle fibres
    • This increases the rate of oxygen supply, oxygen absorption and aerobic respiration
  • Due to the high amounts of red pigment, slow twitch muscle fibres appear a dark red

Fast Twitch & Slow Twitch Muscle Fibres Table
Fast and Slow Muscle Fibres

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