Introduction
Muscle is one of the four basic tissue types of the body. The contraction process is specific to muscle cells. In addition to enabling movements like walking, muscles also support physiological functions like digestion and respiration.
Contractility, extensibility, excitability, and elasticity are all characteristics shared by all muscle cells.
- Muscle cells can be forced to contract by having contractility. Contractility enables muscle tissue to squeeze on its attachment sites and tighten with force.
- The capacity of a muscle to stretch or expand is known as extensibility.
- Excitability is the capacity to react to a stimulus, which can be from a hormone or motor neuron.
- Elasticity is the capacity of a muscle to regain its initial length when relaxed.
Muscle tissues are softer tissues that comprise the various types of muscles in most animals and enable muscles to contract. It is also known as myopropulsive tissue. Myogenesis is the process by which muscle tissue develops during embryonic development.
Actin and myosin, two distinct contractile proteins found in muscle tissue, contract and relax to produce movement. Two regulatory proteins, tropomyosin and troponin, are among the several other muscle proteins that are present.
Table of Contents
- Contractile Tissue
- Noncontractile Tissue
- Difference between Contractile Tissue and Noncontractile Tissue
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Contractile Tissue
Contractile tissue is a form of soft tissue present in the musculoskeletal system having the capacity to contract and relax. Muscle tissue is one of the primary contractile tissues in our body. It is derived from embryonic germ cells in the mesodermal layer. Additionally, the muscle cells feature contractile filaments that can alter the size of the cells. Other contractile tissues in our body include the muscle belly, the musculotendinous junction, the tendon body, and the tenoperiosteal junction.
Moreover, there are multiple processes involved in muscle contraction. Axon terminals in motor neurons release the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in response to brain signals. Acetylcholine then binds to receptors in the sarcolemma, causing an action potential to disseminate over the muscle fibre. It leads to the release of calcium.
Following calcium release, troponin behaves differently, which shortens the sarcolemma. Consequently, the entire muscle shortens. Troponin also returns to its original location when calcium enters the sarcoplasmic reticulum, allowing the muscle to relax.
The contractile proteins may take the configuration of an actomyosin-like complex or a combination of the complex and its components.
Also, read:Difference between Actin and Myosin
Noncontractile Tissue
Noncontractile tissue is the second category of soft tissue unable to contract and relax. Contraction is not possible in these tissues. As a result, they are inert tissues or structures. Additionally, they can only be examined through medical procedures using passive squeezing and stretching.
Nerves, ligaments, sheaths, joint capsules, cartilages, and bursae are a few examples of noncontractile tissues. Elderly individuals have a higher percentage of noncontractile tissues as compared to younger individuals. Noncontractile tissues also have poor wound healing when injured.
Also, read:Difference between Ligaments and Tendons
Difference between Contractile Tissue and Noncontractile Tissue
| Contractile Tissue | Noncontractile Tissue |
|---|---|
| It is defined as the tissue that can contract and relax | It is defined as the tissue that cannot contract and relax |
| Present in a lower proportion in aged population | Present in greater proportion in aged population |
| Possess poor healing ability | Possess strong healing ability |
| Muscle belly, tendon body, musculotendinous junctions and tenoperiosteal are examples | Joint capsules, ligaments, bursae, nerves and their sheaths and cartilages are examples |
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