Reference no: EM133471795

Question

Describe the sequential steps of excitation-contraction coupling in the process of muscle contraction via the sliding filament mechanism. The process begins with the excitation of the sarcolemma via a motor neuron. As the electrical impulses propagate along the sarcolemma they travel into the interior of the muscle fiber via the T-tubules. As the electrical impulse travels down the T-tubules, calcium is released from the SR. Calcium then binds to troponin and makes tropomyosin move out of the way exposing binding sites on actin. Describe the rest of the sequence of events that results in muscle contraction and eventual relaxation. You should include in your description the following: cross bridge formation, how the filaments slide past each other and what causes the muscle to eventually relax. Is ATP an important molecule in this process? If so, explain why.