1.

Describe the features of muscle tissue that distinguish it from other tissue types and be able to apply
terminology specific to muscle tissue.

2. Be able to identify and distinguish the three types of muscle tissues in histological images according to
their distinct histological features.

A) Straight linear order in muscle cells is a clear indication of muscle cells.

B) Similar to skeletal, cardiac muscle has semi parallel alignment, with striation.
C) Smooth: no striation however organization is found.

3. Identify and describe the function of three other types of contractile cells found in tissues of the body.

• Myoepithelial cells: specialized epithelial cells in glands

 • Myofibroblasts: specialized fibroblasts involved in wound closing.

• Pericytes: cells similar to smooth muscle that surround small blood vessels

4. Describe the process of skeletal muscle development; connect this process to the unique structure of
skeletal muscle fibers and its limited ability to regenerate.
Cross-section: Secondary Longitudinal section: Secondary
myotubes myotubes

Embrionic Stem Cell [Mesenchymal]  myblasts  Myblast+myblast = Myotube myotube

differentiates, fill with proteins and push nuclei to the side
Skeletal Muscles work to give support, mechanical support, and give structure

Muscle fibers are surrounded by endomysium

Endomysiums of muscle fiber come together form fascicles

5. Describe and identify the histological features of skeletal muscle, including its pattern of fiber
bundling and associated connective tissue coverings, organization of myofilaments into sarcomeres,
conduction system, and neuromuscular junction.

 Skeletal Muscle Attributes: Multinucleated, Peripheral Nuclei [Towards the side of the cell],
striated, various lengths
Location of nuclei is to the side of the muscle cell.

Sarcoplasm [Muscle cell cytoplasm] contain the following:

-Mitochondria (M) , glycogen

-Sarcoplasm Reticulum: a modified ER for Ca2+

Myofibrils: are made of myofilaments which are organized into sarcomeres:

 Myosin: thick filaments of Myosin II

 Actin: Thin filaments of double helix actin (F-Actin Double helix) with regulators of troponin
and tropomyosin

6. Describe and identify the histological features of cardiac muscle, including its organization of
myofilaments into sarcomeres, specialized junctions (intercalated discs), and conduction system.

-Fibers have 1-2 centerally located nuclei

-Branching in cells with striation

-many mitochondria

 Conduction: Ca2+ released for contraction  T-tubules and small terminal cristernae forms
dyads.  Ion passage allows cardiac muscle to contract as unit
 -Lines are Intercalated discs

Fascia adherens (FA) and desmosomes

(MA) anchor cytoskeletons of adjacent
cells to transmit contractile force

Gap junctions (GJ) transmit electrical

impulse

7. Describe and identify the histological features of smooth muscle. Describe how it is different from
skeletal or cardiac muscle, including its organization of myofilaments and absence of a t-tubule system.

- Found in organs and blood vessels

- Nucleus is in center.
- Cells look like spindles
- No striation, and no overall organization for actin and myosin
- Wave-like contraction are slow, from gap junction communication.

Smooth muscle is more present in

artery than in veins, as arteries
need to prevent too much
elasticity and withstand high
blood pressure.
 -Intermediate filaments provide structure and support

-oblique formation of thick (myosin II) and thin (actin)

-Dense bodies: area where actin and IF proteins, adhere them throughout the cytoplasm and anchor
adjacent cells.

-Smooth muscle have no T-tuble systems

8. Describe, compare, and contrast the processes of growth and repair among the three types of muscle
tissue.

 Hypertrophy: when an increase in muscle mass occurs due to an increase load. Cells enlarge
with an increase in contractile proteins
 Atrophy: Lack of use of the muscles results in a dismantling of muscle fibers.
 New skeletal muscle needs to be with tissue repair.
o Intact lamina:
 satellite cells activate and proliferate
 Mycardial Infraction: blockage of the artery causes a loss of oxygen and ischemic tissue
formation. Cardiac Muscle replaced with fibrous scar in an MI.
• Smooth Muscle repair:
• Smooth muscle cells maintain the potential to divide mitotically
• Smooth muscle can regenerate to repair damaged tissue
• In vessels, pericytes (contractile cells associated with capillaries) can give rise to new
vascular smooth muscle.