Element 3. Nerves, the neuromuscular junction and muscle.
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Contents
1. The [muscle] length-tension relation
Recap of the sliding filament theory
Length-tension relation measured isometrically
2. The [sarcomere] length-tension relation
Important! Tension measured as a function of sarcomere length
Maximal force at resting sarcomere length!!!
What happens at short sarcomere lengths?
Figures
Figure 1 - length tension relation for skeletal muscle
Figure 2 - Experimental setup required to determine length-tension relation of muscle
Figure 3 - Combined figure illustrating: A. the experimental setup, B. passive and total tension at 3 different muscle lengths & C. the length-tension data in graphical form.
Figure 4 - The relation between sarcomere length (in microns) and active tension (passive and total omitted for clarity)
Figure 5 - Lack of filament overlap at longest lengths (when active force falls to zero)
Figure 6 - Appearance of sarcomeres, illustrating filament overlap, at optimal fibre length
Figure 7 - Filament overlap and sarcomere appearance at the point of inflection
Figure 8 - The appearance of the sarcomere at the shortest length (where active force falls to zero)
Copyright © 1998 University of Bristol. All rights reserved.
Author:
Phil Langton
Last modified: 30 Nov 1999 23:17
Authored in
CALnet