The slow twitch muscle fibres which are rich in myoglobin and have abu...
**Red Skeletal Muscles**
Red skeletal muscles, also known as slow-twitch muscles, are characterized by their high content of myoglobin and abundant mitochondria. These muscles have a reddish appearance due to the presence of myoglobin, a protein that binds and stores oxygen. They are primarily involved in aerobic activities and are resistant to fatigue, making them well-suited for endurance tasks.
**Myoglobin and Oxygen Storage**
Myoglobin is a pigment found in muscle cells that has a high affinity for oxygen. It acts as a reservoir for oxygen, releasing it to the mitochondria during aerobic metabolism. The higher myoglobin content in red skeletal muscles allows for increased oxygen storage capacity, ensuring a steady supply of oxygen during sustained muscle contractions.
**Mitochondria and Energy Production**
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, responsible for generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary source of energy for muscle contractions. Red skeletal muscles have an abundance of mitochondria, which enables them to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation, a process that requires oxygen. This oxidative metabolism is more efficient compared to anaerobic metabolism, which occurs in white skeletal muscles.
**Aerobic Activity and Endurance**
Red skeletal muscles are well-adapted for aerobic activities such as long-distance running, swimming, and cycling. Their high myoglobin content and abundant mitochondria allow for sustained energy production, reducing the likelihood of fatigue. These muscles contract slowly but are capable of maintaining contractions for extended periods without experiencing a significant decline in performance.
**Comparison to White Skeletal Muscles**
In contrast to red skeletal muscles, white skeletal muscles, also known as fast-twitch muscles, have lower myoglobin content and fewer mitochondria. They rely on anaerobic metabolism, which produces ATP without the need for oxygen but is less efficient. White skeletal muscles are involved in activities requiring short bursts of intense power, such as weightlifting or sprinting. They fatigue more quickly compared to red muscles due to their reliance on anaerobic metabolism.
**Conclusion**
The slow twitch muscle fibers, also known as red skeletal muscles, are rich in myoglobin and have abundant mitochondria. These characteristics allow them to store oxygen efficiently and produce ATP through oxidative metabolism, making them well-suited for endurance activities.
The slow twitch muscle fibres which are rich in myoglobin and have abu...
Myoglobin is a pigment similar to haemoglobin but is carry oxygen in Skeletal Muscle. Since skeletal muscle are actively involved in many movements so they require more amount of ATP and so the mitochondria...Also we know that terminal electron acceptor in mitochondrial ATP synthesis via ETS is oxygen molecule which ultimately form metabolic water ....so skeletal muscle require more oxygen ,more ATP, more mitochondria but less sarcoplasmic reticulum because their contraction is slow and for longer duration hence they require less calcium ion conpare to white fibres whose contraction are fast and for shorter duration so they require more calcium ion than red fibres hence more Sarcoplasmic reticulum....
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed NEET study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in NEET.