sarcomere
1
9.8
- noun
- /sɑrˈkoʊmɪr/
- Specialized
- Each sarcomere consists of overlapping thick and thin filaments that slide past each other during muscle movement.
Examples
-
Sarcomeres are composed of thick and thin filaments in an intricate pattern that promotes the sliding of the filaments past each other.
Academic text (2005) -
However, the modulation of signal amplitude is not easily related to the excitation level of the muscle, which only relates to increased calcium releases into the sarcomere (muscle fiber's smallest compartment).
Blog text (20) -
Sarcomeres are arranged into bands and lines.
Academic text (2005) -
The Sarcomere
Academic text (2005) -
Fibers are composed of myofibrils, which are terminally composed of sarcomeres.
Academic text (2005) -
More than 140 mutations on nine different genes coding for sarcomere proteins and two genes coding for cardiac mitochondria have been associated with it.
Academic text (2007) -
Koh, T. J., & Herzog, W. (1998). Eccentric training does not increase sarcomere number in rabbit dorsiflexor muscles. Journal of Biomechanics, 31, 499-501.
Academic text (2011) -
Sarcomeres are essential for muscle contraction and are found in all striated muscle fibers.
-
When examining muscle tissue under a microscope, one can see that sarcomeres are organized in repeating units along the myofibrils.
Surface Forms
Morphology
sarcomere = sarco + mere
The components are Greek combining forms (sarco- 'muscle', -mere 'part') and the term is a technical biological formation, so an average B1 learner cannot reliably derive the meaning from the parts.
Etymology
Sarcomere comes from Greek parts sarco- meaning 'flesh' and -mere meaning 'part'. So a sarcomere is literally a 'part of the flesh', which explains why it names the smallest working part of a muscle fiber that shortens to make movement.