MUSCLE RESPONSE TO

VARIATION IN EXPERIMENT 3

STIMULUS FREQUENCY
FREQUENCY OF STIMULI
If stimuli are repeatedly applied to a muscle fiber, Ca+ may not
be completely transported back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum
before the next stimulus occurs (no relaxation period). Depending
upon the frequency of stimuli, Ca+ may accumulate/build up. This
results in more power strokes and a stronger muscle contraction.
OBJECTIVE
 To observe the role of many rapidly
applied stimuli in bringing about a
steady constant contraction of
muscle — tetanic contraction.
T E TA N U S
These are repeated twitch contractions wherein tetanus occurs
when the frequency of muscle contraction is such that the maximal
force tension is generated without any relaxation of the muscle.
Two types:
Incomplete Tetanus
Complete Tetanus
I N C O M P L E T E T E TA N U S
 Delivering multiple stimulus (20 milliseconds apart)
Before it completes the relaxation period, you deliver another stimulus.
Calcium is being transported back to the sarcoplasmic reticulum because there is no
action potential anymore but then another stimulus is being delivered and even more
Ca+ is being pushed out and it results to more cross-bridge and stronger muscle
contraction.
I N C O M P L E T E T E TA N U S
- Also called unfused tetanus, occurs when the frequency
of stimuli increases having successive muscle contractions

- If the frequency increases, it continues to rise until it reaches a peak point. The tension at
this point is about three to four times greater than the tension of a single twitch. During
incomplete tetanus, the muscle goes through quick cycles of contraction with a short
relaxation phase for each. 
C O M P L E T E T E TA N U S

Also called Fused tetanus

No time for muscle to relax until it reaches the maximum/peak point
Delivering very rapid stimuli that are very close to each other
If the stimulus frequency is so high that the relaxation phase disappears
completely, contractions become continuous
is a sustained muscle contraction wherein the muscle emits action potentials at a
very high rate.
In this case, individual muscle contractions completely fuse to produce one large
muscle contraction.
Incomplete
Tetanus
Complet
e Tetanus
EXAMPLE
Running, picking up pencil, etc.--these are the result of high
frequency stimuli resulting in tetanic contraction.