Sliding filament theory
The sliding filament theory is the basic summary of the process of skeletal muscle
contraction. Myosin moves along the filament by repeating a binding and releasing
sequence that causes the thick filament to move over the thinner filament. This
progresses in sequential stages. By progressing through this sequence the filaments
slide and the skeletal muscles contract and release.
First Stage:
The first stage is when the impulse gets to the unit. The impulse travels along the axon
and enters the muscle through the neuromuscular junction. This causes full two to
regulate and calcium channels in the axon membrane to then open. Calcium ions come
from extra cellular fluid and move into the axon terminal causing synaptic vessels to
fuse with pre synaptic membranes. This causes the release of acetylcholine (a
substance that works as a transmitter) within the synaptic cleft. As acetylcholine is
released it defuses across the gap and attaches itself to the receptors along the
sarcolemma and spreads along the muscle fiber.
Second Stage:
The second stage is for the impulse spreads along the sarcolemma. The action potential
spreads quickly along the sarcolemma once it has been generated. This action
continues to move deep inside the muscle fiber down to the T tubules and the action
potential triggers the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Third Stage:
During the third stage calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and actin
sites are activated. Calcium ions once released begin binding to Troponin. Tropomyosin
blocking the binding of actin is what causes the chain of events that lead to muscle
contraction. As calcium ions bind to the Troponin it changes shape which removes the
blocking action of Tropomyosin (thin strands of protein that are wrapped around the
actin filaments). Actin active sites are then exposed and allow myosin heads to attach
to the site.
Fourth Stage:
The fourth stage then begins in which myosin heads attach to actin and form cross
bridges, ATP is also broken down during this stage. Myosin binds at this point to the
exposed binding sites and through the sliding filament mechanism the muscles contract.
Fifth Stage:
