BT101 – Introductory Biology (SKELETAL SYSTEM)

Dr.Navin Gupta
Dept of BSBE,IIT Guwahati
Email:cngupta@iitg.ac.in

Acknowledgement:

Integrated Lecture from the book Human Physiology by Widmaier, Raff and
Strang et al and yesteryears BT101 Lectures
Reference Books For this Lecture

1. Human Physiology by Eric Widmaier, Hershel Raff and Kevin Strang

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ousflrOzQHc

3. http://www.doctortipster.com/10064-parkinson-disease-symptoms-and-
diagnosis.html

4. Neuroscience: Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews Claudia Krebs

 Skeletal System

Skeletal Muscle Structure,

Connections with brain, Parkinsons disorder
Motor Unit, Sliding filament
Neuromuscular junction mechanism
Types of Muscles
 Involuntary
Control

Involuntary
Control
(Stomach)

Skeletal muscle does not consist of individual

Voluntary cells. Rather it is formed from huge,
control multinucleate muscle fibers. Skeletal muscle
are usually large in diameter and length
Neuroscience: Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews Claudia Krebs
What is the fundamental unit of Skeletal Muscle fiber?
 In Myofibril (Muscle Cell)
SARCOMERE NUMBER decide the
force generating capability

Myofibril Enlarged

SARCOMERES are made of

Thick (myosin) and thin (actin)
protein filaments
Myosin
anchored at
the M-line Actin anchored to Z-line
Neuroscience: Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews Claudia Krebs
What are Motor Units??
 Motor Unit consists
a) Motor Neurons
b) Skeletal muscle
In a motor unit all muscles are innervated by the same neuron and work in
cohesion.

Modified Figure from

Khan Academy
 Motor Units (Another View)

Luo L (2015): Principles of Neurobiology, Garland Science

Parts of Brain which control voluntary and
involuntary muscles
Brain/Spinal Cord Connections with Muscles
Signal exchange between Neuron and Muscle
(i.e. NeuroMuscular Junction)
 Neuromuscular Junction

Neuroscience: Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews Claudia Krebs

 Neuromuscular Junction
Muscles will contract/relax when they receive signals from the nervous
system.

Muscle action begins at the motor end plate (or neuromuscular junction),
which is analogous to a synapse between neurons

The neuromuscular junction is a site where a motor axon terminal releases

neurotransmitters (acetylcholine)

Acetylcholine binds to receptors localized in the muscle membrane at the

motor end plate to open Na+ channels

Depolarizes the muscle fiber and opens calcium stores causing muscle
contraction.
Muscle Contraction-Sliding Filament Theory

Luo L (2015): Principles of Neurobiology, Garland Science

 Revisiting Sarcomere

Myosin
anchored at
the M-line Actin anchored to Z-line

Neuroscience: Lippincotts Illustrated Reviews Claudia Krebs

When relaxed the Actin filaments are associated with regulatory proteins
called Troponin and Tropomyosin

Luo L (2015): Principles of Neurobiology, Garland Science

Ca2+ ions are released in response to signals from nervous system to contract. These
Ca2+ ions bind to Troponin

Myofibril Luo L (2015): Principles of Neurobiology, Garland Sciencec

Binding sites created on Actin
For contraction ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP and Phosphate and Myosin pulls
Actin during the Powerstroke

This process of ATP

hydrolyzes happens
repeatedly for more
contraction

Another ATP molecule

hydrolyzes and muscle
contraction happens
Myosin pulls Actin through cross bridges as long as Ca2+
supply is available

Luo L (2015): Principles of Neurobiology, Garland Science

Relaxation sets in as below when Ca2+ ions are exhausted

Luo L (2015): Principles of Neurobiology, Garland Science

Application: When muscle fibers contract in Unison
you can take notes
Velocity of Muscle Shortening Vs Load
 Shared Principles for three muscle Types

Sliding filament mechanism in which myosin filaments bind and

move actin filaments is the basis for shortening of stimulated muscle

Myosin and Actin are regulated by calcium ions.

Changes in membrane potential lead to contraction (called excitation-

contraction coupling)
 Neuromuscular Disorders
Neuromuscular disorders affect communication between nerves and
muscles.

Muscle disorders can cause your muscles to become weak and waste
away. You may also have symptoms such as spasms and pain.

As far as Neuro and Muscle health is concerned Physical exercise

helps.

https://medlineplus.gov/neuromusculardisorders.html
What is Parkinson’s?? Any Idea
Parkinson’s
(Stages)

https://www.singhealth.com.sg/DoctorsAndHealthcareProfessionals/Medical-News/2014/Pages/Parkinson-Disease-Likely-
Treatment-Options.aspx
 Parkinson’s
(In Pictures)

http://www.doctortipster.com/10064-parkinson-disease-symptoms-and-diagnosis.html
PARKINSONS CURRENT MEDICATIONS TREATMENT ??
 PARKINSONS CURRENT TREATMENT (Mayoclinic, USA)
• Parkinson's disease can't be cured, but medications can help control
your symptoms, often dramatically

• Levodopa, the most effective Parkinson's disease medication, is a

natural chemical that passes into your brain and is converted to
dopamine

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS), surgeons implant electrodes to

stimulate specific part of your brain.

• Green Tea/Caffeine could possibly reduce parkinson

occurrence
Thanks