Interactive simulations for science teaching
400 downloadable interactive simulations
Muscle contraction (sarcomere)
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- Summary
- This animation presents muscle contraction at the level of the sarcomere by providing an animated schematic diagram in parallel with corresponding electron micrographs taken using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Photos: © James E. DENNIS - PHOTOTAKE - ISM.
- Learning objectives
- To understand the relationship between the structure of a sarcomere and its function.
- To clarify the principle stages of muscle contraction.
- To bring out the relationship between the shrinking of I bands and the sliding of myofilaments.
- How to use the animation
- Use the control at upper right to start/stop the animation. Labels can be obtained by clicking the “Labels” button.
- Student sheet
- You have to subscribe to view the student sheet
- Keywords
- muscle, contraction, sarcomere, actin, myosin, ATP, muscle-fiber, myofilament, myofibril
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