Comparative Vertebrate Physiology Smooth and cardiac muscle
Smooth muscle Characteristics lack striations uninucleate occurs in layers
Characteristics Contracts uniquely because T tubules absent (SR touches sarcolemma) poorly develop SR (extracellular Ca++) myosin, actin present lacks troponin
Types of smooth muscle Single unit (visceral) occur in layers gap junctions (spontaneous depolarization) mechanical stimuli and innervated visceral organs (gut, bladder etc)
Types of smooth muscle Multiunit discrete fibers no gap junctions innervated large airways, large arteries, arrector pilli muscles
Potentials Single unit Pacemaker, slow wave and action potentials Multiunit Spike potentials
Smooth muscle contraction Mechanisms 1. Myosin phosphorylation Ca++ binds to calmodulin and activates MLCK allowing myosin to bind to actin 2. Regulation by caldesmon Ca++-calmodulin removes caldesmon from its blocking position on actin 3. Direct Ca++ binding Binding onto myosin, allowing it to bind to actin
Calcium sources Intracellular from SR Extracellular Voltage operated channel (AP) in multiunit muscle Tension is maintained after Ca++ is gone
Length-tension relationship Tension over a wide range of initial lengths
Contract of smooth muscle Irregular myofilament arrangement
Cardiac muscle Characteristics contains striations single innervation area by the ANS (pacemaker)
Cardiac muscle Characteristics cells are uninucleated intercalated discs desmosomes gap junctions disc
Cardiac muscle Action potentials plateau phase prolonged refractory period
Cardiac muscle Sources of Ca++ Contraction Following contraction regulated by Ca++ sources: ECF and SR Following contraction Ca++ back into SR by Ca++ pump Ca++ back into ECF by Na+/Ca++ proteins on sarcolemma Sources of Ca++ Differences between vertebrates (frogs vs. mammals)
Intracellular calcium Factors effecting concentration 1. Degree of depolarization
Intracellular calcium 2. Concentration of catecholamines Ex. epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine -adrenoreceptors activate IP3 increase Ca++ from SR
Intracellular calcium 2. Concentration of catecholamines -adrenoreceptors activate adenyl cyclase increase Ca++ across sarcolemma
Intracellular calcium 3. Temperature Why is heart rate in an ectotherm temperature dependent? reduction slows Ca++ pump in the SR reduction slows Na+/Ca++ exchange across sarcolemma