sarcomere

sarcomere

sarcomere Any of the functional units that make up the myofibrils of voluntary muscle. Each sarcomere is bounded by two membranes (Z lines), which provide the points of attachment of actin filaments; another membrane (the M band or line) is the point of attachment of the myosin filaments. The sarcomere is divided into various bands reflecting the arrangement of the filaments (see illustration). During muscle contraction the actin and myosin filaments slide over each other (see sliding filament theory) and the length of the sarcomere shortens: the Z lines are drawn closer together and the I and H bands become narrower.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"sarcomere." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"sarcomere." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-sarcomere.html

"sarcomere." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-sarcomere.html

Learn more about citation styles

sarcomere

sarcomere That region of a myofibril of striated muscle that lies between the Z-lines.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "sarcomere." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "sarcomere." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-sarcomere.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "sarcomere." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-sarcomere.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Mechanical significance of obliquely striated architecture in nematode muscle.
Magazine article from: The Biological Bulletin; 2/1/1998
Quality of duck breast and leg meat after chilling carcasses in water at 0,...
Magazine article from: Asian - Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences; 12/1/2007
Sarcoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial through-space coupling in skeletal...
Magazine article from: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism; 6/1/2009

Facts and information from other sites

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of sarcomere