Human Anatomy
and Physiology - III
3.1.2 Mechanism of Muscle Contraction
Mechanism of muscle contraction is best explained by the ‘Sliding Filament
Theory’. It states that contraction of a muscle fibre takes place by the
sliding of the thin filaments over / in between the thick filaments. It was
proposed by Jean Hanson and Hugh Huxley. The process of muscle
contraction can be studied under the following heads:
i) Excitation of muscle: Muscle contraction is initiated by a signal sent
by the central nervous system (CNS) via a motor neuron. A neural
signal reaching the neuromuscular junction releases a neurotransmitter
(acetylcholine) which generates an ‘action potential’ in the
sarcolemma. When the action potential spreads to the triad system
through the T tubules, the cisternae of the sarcoplasmic reticulum
release calcium ions into the sarcoplasm.
is released
Figure 3.5 Mechanism of Muscle Contraction
81
Zoology
ii) Formation of Cross bridges: Increase in the Ca2+ level leads to the
binding of calcium ions to the subunit Tn-C of the troponin of the thin
filaments. This makes troponin and tropomyosin complex to move away
from the active sites of actin molecules. Now, the active sites are exposed
to the heads of the myosin. Utilizing the energy released from hydrolysis
of ATP, the myosin head now binds to the exposed ‘active sites’ on the
actin molecules to form a cross bridge and Pi is released
iii) Power Stroke: The cross bridge pulls the attached actin filaments
towards the centre of the ‘A’
band. The ‘Z’ lines attached to
these actin filaments are also
pulled inwards from both the
sides, thereby causing shortening
of the sarcomere, i.e.,
contraction. During the
shortening of the muscle, the ‘I’
bands get reduced in size/length
(Z membranes of the sarcomere
are brought closer), whereas the
‘A’ bands retain their size /
length. It is important to note that
myofilaments do not actually
shorten. As the thin filaments are
Figure 3.6 Sliding Filaments
pulled deep in to the A bands
making the H bands narrow, the
muscle shows the effect-
contraction.
Cross bridge cycle: When myosin heads hydrolyse ATP into ADP and Pi ,
the conformation of the myosin is changed to an active state so that it can
perform the ‘power stroke’. When myosin head binds to actin (formation of
‘crosss bridge’), it releases P i and undergoes another conformational
change, pulling the thin filaments towards the centre of the ‘A’ band /
sarcomere. Thus the ‘power stroke’ is completed and the myosin head
releases the ADP. At the end of the power stroke, the myosin head binds
to a new molecule of ATP, which displaces/releases it from actin. This
entire process is called ‘cross bridge cycle’. The combined power of several
cross bridge cycles causes the muscle to contract. These cycles continue
as long as the muscle receives stimuli.
82
Human Anatomy
and Physiology - III
iv) Recovery Stroke: The myosin head goes back to its relaxed state and
releases ADP. A new ATP molecule binds to the head of myosin and the
cross-bridge is broken. Now the new ATP is hydrolysed by the ATPase of
the myosin head and the cycle of conformational change in myosin
leads to cross bridge formation, and pulling of thin filaments is repeated
causing further sliding.
v) Relaxation of Muscle: When motor impulses stop the Ca2+ ions are
pumped back into the sarcoplasmic cisternae. It results in the masking
of the active sites of the actin filaments. The myosin heads fail to bind
with the active sites of actin. These changes cause the return of ‘Z’
lines back to their original position, i.e., relaxation.
3.1.3 Muscle Fatigue
Repeated activation of the skeletal muscles can lead to the accumulation of
lactic acid due to anaerobic breakdown of glucose in them, causing fatigue.
At this state the skeletal muscle fails to contract temporarily.
Cori Cycle
The lactic acid produced during rapid
contractions of skeletal muscles under low
availability of oxygen is partly oxidized and a
major part of it is carried to the liver by the
blood, where it is converted into pyruvic acid
(pyruvate) and then to glucose through
gluconeogenesis. The glucose can enter the
blood and be carried to muscles and immediately
used. In case glucose is not immediately
required, it can be used to rebuild reserve of
glycogen through glycogenesis. This two way
traffic between skeletal muscle and liver is
called the Cori cycle. Figure 3.7 Cori cycle
Types of Muscle Fibers
Muscle contains a red coloured oxygen storing pigment called ‘myoglobin’
(muscle haemoglobin). Myoglobin content is high in some of the muscles
which give a reddish appearance. Such muscle fibers are called the red
fibers. These muscles with red fibers also contain plenty of mitochondria
which can utilise the large amount of oxygen stored in them for the
production of ATP. These muscles, therefore, can also be called aerobic
muscles.
On the other hand, some of the muscles possess very less quantity of
myoglobin in their muscle fibers and therefore, appear pale or whitish.
These muscle fibers are white fibers. Mitochondria are also few in them,
but the amount of sarcoplasmic reticulum is more. They depend on
anaerobic process for the release of energy. White fibres show short term,
high intensity contractions.
83
