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Smooth Muscle
Exam #2- Lecture #12
49
Physiology
Graduate
09/30/2009

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Term
Is Smooth Muscle striated or unstriated muscle?
Definition
Unstriated Muscle
Term
Is Smooth Muscle voluntary or involuntary muscle?
Definition
Involuntary Muscle
Term
Is Smooth Muscle innervated by the SNS or ANS?
Definition
The Autonomic Nervous System
Term
Where is smooth muscle GENERALLY found?
Definition
In the walls of hollow organs and tubes
Term
Give 3 examples of where smooth muscle is found in the body
Definition
Arteries and Veins; Trachea and Bronchioles; GI Tract; Uterus; Bladder; Ureters; Iris of the Eye
Term
True or False: Smooth Muscle helps organs maintain their shape
Definition
TRUE
Term
True or False: Smooth Muscle does NOT function in muscle contraction
Definition
FALSE; The main function of smooth muscle is contraction
Term
List 3 functions, other than contraction, of smooth muscle
Definition
Produces motility through a hollow organ or tube; Maintains pressure against contents within the hollow organ; Regulates internal flow of contents by changing tube diameter
Term
True or False: Smooth Muscle filaments form myofibrils
Definition
FALSE; They do NOT form myofibrils
Term
True or False: Smooth Muscle is NOT arranged in a sarcomere pattern
Definition
TRUE
Term
What is the shape of Smooth Muscle and how many nuclei does it have?
Definition
Smooth Muscle is a spindle- shaped cell with one nucleus
Term
What are the two directions in which smooth muscle sheets can be arranged?
Definition
Circumferential OR Longitudinal
Term
True or False: Smooth Muscle contains gap junctions to couple cells
Definition
TRUE
Term
What are the 2 BROAD groups of smooth muscle?
Definition
Single- Unit and Multi- Unit
Term
True or False: Smooth Muscle has t- tubules
Definition
FALSE; The thin cells of smooth muscle do NOT contain t- tubules
Term
Describe the structure of smooth muscle cells
Definition
There is a less developed sarcomere; But contact with the plasma membrane; And Caveolae are invaginations in the membrane which provide a means for extracellular communication
Term
What do Gap Junctions allow and in which group are they found?
Definition
Gap Junctions allow for "full recruitment" and are found in SINGLE- UNIT smooth muscle
Term
What are the two ions conducted by gap junctions?
Definition
Na+ (Sodium) and Ca2+ (Calcium)
Term
Fill in the blank: Cells function as a _____________ and are connected anatomically and electrically via ______ _________.
Definition
Cells function as a SYNCTIUM and are connected anatomically and electrically via GAP JUNCTIONS.
Term
What are the 3 types of filaments found in smooth muscle?
Definition
Myosin, Actin, and Intermediate Filaments
Term
Are myosin filaments longer in smooth muscle or skeletal muscle?
Definition
Smooth Muscle
Term
True or False: Actin filaments in smooth muscle contain troponin and tropomyosin
Definition
FALSE; Actin filaments contain tropomyosin, but do NOT contain troponin
Term
What do intermediate filaments do in smooth muscle?
Definition
They form part of he cytoskeletal framework which supports the shape of the cell AND they hold dense bodies in place
Term
What are varicosities and how do they function?
Definition
Swellings in the muscle that contain neurotransmitter and mitochondria; They engage in smooth muscle innervation
Term
How many nerves innervate single- unit smooth muscle?
Definition
ONE autonomic nerve
Term
How many nerves innervate multi- unit smooth muscle?
Definition
MANY autonomic nerves
Term
Which type of smooth muscle contains MORE gap junctions?
Definition
Single- Unit Smooth Muscle
Term
Single- Unit Smooth Muscle is _____________?
Myogenic or Neurogenic
Definition
Myogenic
Term
What does it mean for a single- unit cell to be myogenic?
Definition
The single- unit smooth muscle cells are self- excitable, thus they do not require nervous stimulation for contraction
Term
True or False: Single- unit contraction is rapid and energy- efficient
Definition
FALSE; While single- unit smooth muscle contraction is energy efficient, it is SLOW
Term
Where is single- unit smooth muscle found in the body?
Definition
GI, Bladder, Small Blood Vessels, Uterus, and Ureter
Term
Multi- Unit Smooth Muscle is ___________?
Myogenic or Neurogenic
Definition
Neurogenic
Term
What does it mean for a multi- unit cell to be neurogenic?
Definition
In order for multi- unit smooth muscle to contract, it must be stimulated by nerves
Term
Can neurogenic smooth muscle contract as a single unit?
Definition
NO; Each unit must be separately stimulated by nerves before contraction can occur
Term
Where is multi- unit smooth muscle found in the body?
Definition
Walls of Large Blood Vessels, Small Airways to Lungs, Eye Muscles, Base of Hair Follicles
Term
Which type of smooth muscle has stretch- initiated contractions and relaxations?
Definition
Single- Unit Smooth Muscle
Term
What is the numerical range of the resting membrane potential in smooth muscle cells?
Definition
-65 to -45 mV
Term
Which type of smooth muscle fires action potentials?
Definition
Single- Unit Smooth Muscle; Most Multi- Unit Smooth Muscle cells do NOT fire action potentials
Term
True or False: Smooth Muscle action potentials are dependent on Calcium instead of Sodium
Definition
TRUE
Term
Which type of smooth muscle exhibits spontaneous depolarization of its resting membrane potential?
Definition
Single- Unit Smooth Muscle
Term
Define Pacemaker potential
Definition
Membrane potential gradually depolarizes until it reaches threshold for firing a single action potential
Term
Define Slow Wave potential
Definition
Membrane potential alternately depolarizes and hyperpolarizes, until threshold is reached and an action potential is fired
Term
Where does regulation of cross- bridge cycling occur in smooth muscle?
Definition
On the thick myosin filament
Term
What prevents actin and myosin from binding at the cross- bridges in the resting state?
Definition
Light- weight proteins attached to the myosin molecules, known as Myosin Light- Chains
Term
Basal Tone Contractions
Definition
A low level of force in the absence of extrinsic factors; Cytosolic calcium concentration is sufficient to maintain a low level of cross- bridge recyclingWhere
Term
Phasic Contractions
Definition
Rapid production of force and subsequent rapid relaxation of smooth muscle as calcium concentration returns to basal level
Term
Tonic Contractions
Definition
Continuous production of force in the presence of falling calcium concentrations that remain above basal levels; Cross- bridge cycling continues at a low level
Term
Where are phasic contractions common in the body?
Definition
GI tract and urogenital organs
Term
Where are tonic contractions common in the body?
Definition
Airways, Blood Vessels, GI
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