MYOFIBRIL Meaning and
Definition
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A myofibril is a cylindrical structure found within muscle cells (also known as muscle fibers) that plays a crucial role in muscle contraction. It is the primary functional unit of a muscle cell responsible for generating force and producing movement. Composed of protein filaments, specifically actin and myosin, myofibrils are highly organized and densely packed structures that give muscle its striated appearance.
Each myofibril is comprised of many repeating subunits called sarcomeres, which are the basic contractile units of muscles. Sarcomeres contain parallel arrays of actin and myosin filaments, which interact with each other during contraction to enable muscle movement. Actin filaments are thin while myosin filaments are thick, and these filaments overlap partially, which creates the characteristic striations seen in skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues.
Within a myofibril, the actin filaments are anchored to specialized structures called Z lines, which help maintain the integrity of the muscle fiber. Myosin filaments are connected to a central line called the M line, which helps to stabilize them during muscle contraction.
By contracting and relaxing in a coordinated fashion, myofibrils allow muscles to generate the necessary force for bodily movements like walking, running, and lifting. Together, hundreds and thousands of myofibrils within a muscle fiber work in unison to produce a stronger contraction. This integration of myofibrils enables muscles to contract both forcefully and efficiently, enabling a wide range of physical activities.
Common Misspellings for MYOFIBRIL
Etymology of MYOFIBRIL
The word "myofibril" has its origin in two Greek roots: "myo" and "fibril".
- "Myo" (μύο) derives from the Greek term "mys", meaning "muscle". It is used to refer to anything related to muscles.
- "Fibril" (φίβριλλα) comes from the Greek "phibrōsis", which means "fibrous tissue" or "fiber". In this context, "fibril" refers to the thread-like structures found within muscle cells.
When combined, "myo" and "fibril" form "myofibril", which specifically denotes the thread-like structures present in muscle cells responsible for muscle contraction.
Similar spelling word for MYOFIBRIL
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