Learning Objectives

• Describe the functions of skeletal muscle
• Describe the neural events that control skeletal muscle contraction
• Describe the key steps involved in muscle contraction: excitation-contraction coupling and cross-bridge cycling (sliding filament theory)
• Describe the key steps in skeletal muscle relaxation
• Identify the types of smooth muscle and how they are controlled
• Describe the contraction mechanism of smooth muscle
• Delineate the key differences between smooth and skeletal muscle function

Skeletal Muscle

• what are the functions of skeletal muscle?
• what is a neuromuscular junction?
• chemical communication is required for [parts of contraction]?
• how do axon termini and motor end plates facilitate communication?
• why is the shape of T-tubules important for muscle contraction?
• what are the different types of troponin? what are their functions?

Skeletal Muscle Contraction

• what are the steps of excitation-contraction coupling?
• what are the 2 ways by which DHP-Rs activate RYRs?
• how does $\small\ce{Ca^{2+}}$ interact with the troponin-tropomyosin complex?