In a muscle undergoes rapid contraction and relaxation, the sarcoplasm...
Sarcoplasmic reticulum of muscle cells store Ca2+ ions. During contracting of muscle, Ca2+ ions are released from sarcoplasmic reticulum to sarcoplasm and vice versa occurs during relaxation. Therefore, if a muscle undergoes rapid contraction and relaxation it requires constant plugging in and out of Ca2+ ions from sarcoplasmic reticulum.
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In a muscle undergoes rapid contraction and relaxation, the sarcoplasm...
Muscle Contraction and the Role of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum
Muscle contraction is a complex process that requires the interaction between various cellular components. One important component involved in muscle contraction is the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), a specialized type of endoplasmic reticulum found in muscle cells. The SR plays a crucial role in regulating calcium levels within the muscle cell, which is essential for muscle contraction.
Role of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum in Muscle Contraction:
1. Calcium Release:
- The SR stores and releases calcium ions (Ca2+) during muscle contraction.
- When a muscle is at rest, the SR actively pumps calcium ions into its lumen, creating a high concentration of calcium within the SR.
- During muscle contraction, an action potential is generated and propagated along the muscle fiber.
- This action potential triggers the release of calcium ions from the SR into the cytoplasm of the muscle cell.
- The released calcium ions bind to a protein called troponin, which initiates a series of events leading to muscle contraction.
2. Rapid Contraction and Relaxation:
- The release of calcium ions from the SR allows the muscle to undergo rapid contraction.
- When calcium ions bind to troponin, it causes a conformational change in the protein, which exposes binding sites on the actin filament.
- Myosin, another protein found in muscle cells, binds to these exposed sites on actin, forming cross-bridges.
- The cross-bridges then undergo a series of conformational changes, resulting in the sliding of actin filaments past myosin filaments, leading to muscle contraction.
- After the contraction, the SR actively pumps calcium ions back into its lumen, resulting in muscle relaxation.
3. Energy Requirement:
- The activity of the SR, including calcium uptake and release, requires energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
- The SR contains ATPase enzymes that hydrolyze ATP to provide the energy needed for calcium transport.
- Therefore, the extension of the SR and its role in muscle contraction require energy.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a crucial role in muscle contraction by regulating calcium levels within the muscle cell. Its extension and activity require energy, as ATP is needed for calcium transport. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' - the sarcoplasmic reticulum extension requires constant plugging in and out of Ca2+.
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