Muscle contraction and calcium ions. Animation showing the role played by calcium ions in muscle contraction. This process is triggered by an electrical impulse (yellow glow) from a nerve which triggers changes in the muscle cell's membrane, the sarcolemma (upper right and upper left). At upper centre is the muscle's calcium store, the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The nerve signal (action potential) triggers the release of calcium ions (blue dots, upper centre) through channels known as canaliculi and tubules (centre left and centre right). The calcium ions cause contraction in the actin and myosin filaments (bottom). After the action potential has passed, the calcium ions are pumped back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the muscle relaxes. For this animation with labels, see K004/0946. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Biocosmos / Francis Leroy & Guillaume Wilmotte |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Länge: | 18 Sekunden |
Seitenverhältnis: | 16:9 |
Restrictions: | - |