Structure and Function of Skeletal Muscle
Three classes of muscle Skeletal muscle-responsible for locomotion Cardiac muscle-responsible for the action of the heart Smooth muscle-responsible for the contraction of irregular shaped organs such as the intestines.
Skeletal Muscle Mammal body contains over 400 skeletal muscles Approx. 40-50% of total body weight
Skeletal Muscle Functions of skeletal muscle Force production for locomotion and breathing Force production for postural support Heat production during cold stress Saleable product in livestock producion
Skeletal Muscle Muscles generally work in pairs to produce movement One muscle flexes(or contracts) the other relaxes
Structure of Skeletal Muscle: Connective Tissue Covering Epimysium Surrounds entire muscle Perimysium Surrounds bundles of muscle fibers Endomysium Surrounds individual muscle fibers
Structure of Skeletal Muscle: Microstructure Sarcolemma Muscle cell membrane Myofibrils Threadlike strands within muscle fibers Actin (thin filament) Myosin (thick filament)