The conversion of an action potential (AP) generated by a motor neuron to contraction of skeletal muscle fiber is called excitation-contraction coupling. This activity will test your understanding of the sequence of events that occur during excitation-contraction coupling.
Place the events that occur during excitation-contraction coupling in the correct order from left to right.
Hints
AP propagates along sarcolemma
AP travels down T tubules to triads Voltage-sensitive proteins
open Ca2+ channels
Sarcoplasmic reticulum releases Ca2+
Ca2+ levels in sarcoplasm increase
Recall from the video that a single motor neuron can conduct action potentials to several skeletal muscle fibers within a muscle. Excitation-contraction coupling converts these action potentials in a muscle fiber to a contraction. As muscle fibers contract, the entire muscle shortens and pulls the tendons on either end of the muscle, producing muscle tension.