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muscle fibre

biology
Also known as: muscle cell

Quick Summary

A muscle fibre is a long, cylindrical cell that makes up muscle tissue. These fibres are highly organized, featuring alternating dark and light bands due to the arrangement of thick and thin filaments within them. Each fibre is enclosed by a sarcolemma, a complex structure including a plasma membrane that maintains the electrical potential necessary for muscle contraction. The sarcoplasm, the fibre's cytoplasm, contains essential molecules like ATP and enzymes for metabolic reactions, along with ions such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. Muscle fibres contain multiple nuclei, a result of their development from fused cells. Mitochondria within the sarcoplasm are crucial for energy production through processes like the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, while glycogen granules store carbohydrates for energy. The colour of muscle fibres (red or white) depends on their metabolic activity and the presence of molecules like myoglobin and cytochromes.1

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