sliding filament mechanism

sliding filament mechanism
the process by which muscle contracts: the thick and thin filaments slide past each other while maintaining a constant length as the result of mechanical forces generated by interaction of cross-bridges (myosin heads) with the actin filaments.

Sliding filament mechanism, showing myosin cross-bridges pulling thin filaments toward the center of each sarcomere, shortening the myofibrils.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sliding filament model — Ratchet mechanism redirects here (it is the name given in some textbooks to the sliding filament mechanism). For the mechanical device, see Ratchet (device) The sliding filament theory describes a process used by muscles to contract. It was… …   Wikipedia

  • sliding filament hypothesis — slid·ing filament hypothesis slīd iŋ n a theory in physiology holding that muscle contraction occurs when the actin filaments next to the Z line at each end of a sarcomere are drawn toward each other between the thicker myosin filaments more… …   Medical dictionary

  • sliding filament theory — see under mechanism …   Medical dictionary

  • Smooth muscle tissue — Smooth muscle …   Wikipedia

  • Actin — G Actin (PDB code: 1j6z). ADP and the divalent cation are highlighted …   Wikipedia

  • Muscle contraction — See also: Twitch and Tremor Top down view of skeletal muscle Muscle fiber generates tension through the action of actin and myosin cross bridge cycling. While under tension, the muscle may lengthen, shorten, or …   Wikipedia

  • Myosin — Part of the myosin II structure. Atoms in the heavy chain are colored red on the left hand side, and atoms in the light chains are colored orange and yellow. Myosins comprise a family of ATP dependent motor proteins and are best known for their… …   Wikipedia

  • Desmin — Identifiers Symbols DES; CMD1I; CSM1; CSM2; FLJ12025; FLJ39719; FLJ41013; FLJ41793 External IDs …   Wikipedia

  • cell — cell1 cell like, adj. /sel/, n. 1. a small room, as in a convent or prison. 2. any of various small compartments or bounded areas forming part of a whole. 3. a small group acting as a unit within a larger organization: a local cell of the… …   Universalium

  • Smooth muscle — is a type of non striated muscle, found within the tunica media layer of large and small arteries and veins, the bladder, uterus, male and female reproductive tracts, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, the ciliary muscle, and iris of the… …   Wikipedia

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