Here’s the assignment:
1) To gain an understanding of the sliding filament mechanism, draw three adjacent sarcomeres (side-by-side as if part of the same myofibril):
a) in a relaxed state
b) in a partially contracted state
c) in a fully contracted state
(so you will make three different drawings that contain 3 sarcomeres each)
On each drawing, label actin, myosin, and M line.
2) Make an illustration of the neuromuscular junction between an axon terminal and a muscle cell; label all the parts we discussed including axon terminal, synaptic vesicles, acetylcholine, acetylcholine receptors, and synaptic cleft. Extend the drawing of the muscle cell out far enough that you can actually illustrate the movement of the action potential once it is triggered. Use arrows to show it moving along the plasma membrane and down into the t-tubules (so you’ll need to draw those within the cell as well).
Just like taking notes on a subject, drawing also helps you remember the information. I’m not grading you on artistic ability, but on accuracy and completion. For turn in, simply take a picture of each of your illustrations and attach them below (just make sure the images are clear). That’s it!
This assignment assesses the following objectives for Chapter 9:
Describe the sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction.
Explain how muscle fibers are stimulated to contract by describing the events that occur at the neuromuscular junction.
Describe how excitation triggers contraction in a muscle fiber.
Identify the components of the neuromuscular junction.