Myocyte

Myocyte

A myocyte (also known as a muscle cell) is a type of cell found in muscle tissue. Myocytes are long, tubular cells that are specialized to contract in response to a stimulus. They are responsible for muscle contraction, and thus for the movement of the body in multicellular organisms.

Structure

Myocytes are composed of myofibrils, which are themselves composed of protein filaments, myosin and actin. The myofibrils align to form a striated pattern which is responsible for the banded appearance of cardiac and skeletal muscle. The term striated muscle refers to the presence of these bands.

Types

There are three types of myocytes: cardiac, skeletal, and smooth.

• Cardiac myocytes are responsible for generating the electrical impulses that control the heart rate, among other things. They are found in the heart and are involuntary cells, meaning they are not under conscious control.

• Skeletal myocytes are responsible for the voluntary movements of the body. They are connected to the skeletal system by tendons, and they contract to move the bones of the skeleton.

• Smooth myocytes are found in the walls of hollow organs like the intestines and stomach. They are also involuntary, and they contract to move substances through the organs.

Function

The primary function of myocytes is to contract, or shorten, in response to a stimulus. This contraction is responsible for all movement in the body, from the beating of the heart to the movement of food through the digestive system.

See also

• Muscle tissue
• Cardiac muscle
• Skeletal muscle
• Smooth muscle

References

Myocyte Resources
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