Chapter 41

Describe the process of skeletal muscle contraction, beginning with an action potential in a motor neuron and ending with the relaxation of the muscle. Your answer should include the following words: neuromuscular junction, T tubule, sarcoplasmic reticulum, calcium, thin filaments, binding sites, thick filaments, sarcomere, \(Z\) disc, and active transport.

Explain the following two statements: Muscles can only actively contract; muscle fibers lengthen passively

What are the three types of skeletons found in animals? For one of them, describe how the muscles are arranged around the skeleton and how contractions of the muscles result in movement of the skeleton.

Compare the structures of the following pairs: spongy and compact bone, smooth and skeletal muscle, and cartilage and bone

How is a bone fracture repaired?

What features distinguish a ball-and-socket joint from a hinge joint?