Myofilament
Myofilament
Myofilament (/maɪoʊˈfɪləmənt/; from the Greek myo meaning "muscle" and filament meaning "thread") is a term used in muscle physiology to describe the small thread-like structures present in striated muscle cells.
Etymology
The term "myofilament" is derived from the Greek words myo, meaning muscle, and filament, meaning thread. This is a reference to the thread-like appearance of these structures under a microscope.
Types of Myofilaments
There are two main types of myofilaments: actin and myosin. Actin filaments, also known as thin filaments, are composed of the protein actin. Myosin filaments, also known as thick filaments, are composed of the protein myosin.
Function
Myofilaments are responsible for muscle contraction. The interaction between actin and myosin filaments, known as the sliding filament theory, is what allows muscles to contract and generate force.
Related Terms
- Sarcomere: The functional unit of striated muscle, composed of myofilaments.
- Tropomyosin: A protein that blocks the myosin-binding sites on actin molecules, preventing muscle contraction.
- Troponin: A protein that binds to tropomyosin and helps to regulate muscle contraction.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Myofilament
- Wikipedia's article - Myofilament
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