Unraveling the Anatomy of a Skeletal Muscle Cell

Biology Grades High School 12:42 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the hierarchical organization of skeletal muscle, from whole muscle to sarcomeres, and understand how this structure facilitates muscle contraction.

Video Resource

Anatomy of a skeletal muscle cell | Muscular-skeletal system physiology | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

khanacademymedicine

Duration: 12:42
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Key Concepts

  • Hierarchical organization of skeletal muscle (muscle, fascicle, myofiber, myofibril, sarcomere)
  • Connective tissue layers (epimysium, perimysium, endomysium)
  • Sarcomere structure (Z-lines, actin, myosin, A-band, I-band, titin)
  • Role of sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle contraction

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to describe the hierarchical organization of skeletal muscle tissue.
  • Students will be able to identify and describe the function of the connective tissue layers associated with skeletal muscle.
  • Students will be able to draw and label the parts of a sarcomere.
  • Students will be able to explain the sliding filament theory of muscle contraction at the sarcomere level.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by discussing the importance of muscles in everyday life and activities. Ask students to brainstorm different movements and discuss the muscles involved. Briefly introduce the idea that muscles have a complex structure that allows them to perform these functions.
  • Video Viewing (15 mins)
    Play the Khan Academy video 'Anatomy of a skeletal muscle cell'. Instruct students to take notes on the different structures and their functions as they are presented in the video.
  • Discussion and Clarification (10 mins)
    After the video, lead a class discussion to review the key concepts. Address any questions or areas of confusion. Use diagrams and models to reinforce understanding.
  • Interactive Activity: Sarcomere Model Building (15 mins)
    Divide students into groups and have them create a model of a sarcomere using readily available materials (e.g., pipe cleaners, string, paper). Each group will label the parts of the sarcomere and explain their function to the class.
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Summarize key concepts and address any remaining questions. Briefly preview the next lesson on muscle contraction.

Interactive Exercises

  • Sarcomere Model Building
    Students work in groups to create a physical model of a sarcomere, labeling its components (Z-lines, actin, myosin, A-band, I-band).
  • Muscle Tissue Labeling Worksheet
    Provide a worksheet with diagrams of muscle tissue at different levels of organization. Students will label the structures (e.g., epimysium, perimysium, fascicle, myofiber, sarcolemma).

Discussion Questions

  • How does the hierarchical structure of muscle tissue contribute to its function?
  • Why are connective tissue layers important for muscle function and protection?
  • What would happen if the sarcomere did not have the protein titin?
  • How does the sarcolemma facilitate muscle contraction?

Skills Developed

  • Critical thinking
  • Model building
  • Scientific communication
  • Active Listening

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which connective tissue layer surrounds the entire muscle?

Correct Answer: Epimysium

Question 2:

A fascicle is a bundle of:

Correct Answer: Myofibers

Question 3:

The plasma membrane of a muscle cell is called the:

Correct Answer: Sarcolemma

Question 4:

Which structure is the basic unit of muscle contraction?

Correct Answer: Sarcomere

Question 5:

Actin filaments are anchored to the:

Correct Answer: Z-line

Question 6:

The A-band of the sarcomere contains:

Correct Answer: Both actin and myosin

Question 7:

The I-band of the sarcomere contains:

Correct Answer: Actin only

Question 8:

What is the role of titin in the sarcomere?

Correct Answer: Anchoring myosin filaments

Question 9:

The cytoplasm of a muscle cell is also known as the:

Correct Answer: Sarcoplasm

Question 10:

Which of the following is the correct order of muscle organization from largest to smallest?

Correct Answer: Muscle, Fascicle, Myofiber, Myofibril

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The outermost connective tissue layer surrounding a muscle is the ___________.

Correct Answer: epimysium

Question 2:

A bundle of muscle fibers is called a __________.

Correct Answer: fascicle

Question 3:

The individual muscle cell is also known as a __________.

Correct Answer: myofiber

Question 4:

The functional unit of muscle contraction is the __________.

Correct Answer: sarcomere

Question 5:

The striations observed in skeletal muscle are due to the arrangement of _______ and _______.

Correct Answer: actin/myosin

Question 6:

The _________ is the area that contains only actin filaments.

Correct Answer: I-band

Question 7:

The membrane surrounding a muscle cell is known as the ___________.

Correct Answer: sarcolemma

Question 8:

Within the sarcomere, ________ is the protein that helps anchor the myosin in place.

Correct Answer: titin

Question 9:

The space between two Z-lines is called the __________.

Correct Answer: sarcomere

Question 10:

The connective tissue layer that surrounds individual muscle cells is called the __________.

Correct Answer: endomysium

Educational Standards

B.LS1.2:[Standard] Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms. B.LS1.1:[Standard] Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins, which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.

Teaching Materials

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