Chapter 10: Muscle Tissue
Objectives



cover.gif Astronaut Susan Still seems to enjoy the experience of zero gravity during weightlessness training with astronaut candidates, but the situation is less than ideal for her bones and muscles. Our bones and muscles work together. Under weightless conditions, bones are not stressed by the weight of the body, and muscles no longer work to oppose the force of gravity. "What you don't use, you lose," and prolonged weightlessness results in a loss of bone and muscle mass. Because this loss can be potentially dangerous on return to normal gravity, astronauts in orbit have exercise periods with workouts to stress their muscles and prevent or reduce the loss of muscle mass. This chapter addresses two related questions: How do muscles work, and how does exercise—in space or on Earth—affect strength and endurance?

CHAPTER OUTLINE AND OBJECTIVES

INTRODUCTION

SKELETAL MUSCLE TISSUE AND THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM
1. Describe the characteristics and functions of skeletal muscle tissue.

ANATOMY OF SKELETAL MUSCLE
  • Organization of Connective Tissues
  • Blood Vessels and Nerves
  • Microanatomy of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
    2. Describe the organization of muscle at the tissue level.
    3. Explain the unique characteristics of skeletal muscle fibers.
    4. Identify the structural components of a sarcomere.
  • CONTRACTION OF SKELETAL MUSCLE
  • The Sliding Filament Theory
  • The Control of Skeletal Muscle Activity
  • FOCUS: The Contraction Cycle
  • Relaxation
  • Length-Tension Relationships
    5. Identify the components of the neuromuscular junction and summarize the events involved in the neural control of skeletal muscles.
    6. Explain the key steps involved in the contraction of a skeletal muscle fiber.
  • MUSCLE MECHANICS
  • Tension Production
  • Energetics of Muscular Activity
  • Muscle Performance
    7. Compare the types of muscle contractions.
    8. Describe the mechanisms by which muscle fibers obtain the energy to power contractions.
    9. Relate the types of muscle fibers to muscle performance.
    10. Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic endurance, and explain their implications for muscular performance.
  • AGING AND THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM
    11. Describe the effects of aging on muscles.

    INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SYSTEMS
    12. Give examples of interactions between the muscular system and each of the other organ systems.

    CARDIAC MUSCLE TISSUE
  • Differences between Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Tissues
  • SMOOTH MUSCLE TISSUE
  • Differences between Smooth Muscle Tissue and Other Muscle Tissues
    13. Identify the structural and functional differences among skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle cells.
    14. Discuss the role that smooth muscle tissue plays in systems throughout the body.

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