In: Biology
ATP is required for both muscle contraction and muscle relaxation. Explain how ATP is used for contraction and how ATP is used for relaxation.
Ans-
Muscle contraction
During muscle contraction, the active binding site of actin is exposed as Ca2+ binds troponin. The high-energy myosin head involved to form cross-bridges with actin. After the binding of myosin to actin, then it undergoes conformational changes and releases Pi. During the power stroke, the myosin head becomes bend and releases ADP and phosphate.Myosin head is attached to a new ATP molecule and remove the cross-bridge.ATP is hydrolyzed to form ADP and phosphate that allows the restart the cross-bridge cycle, further muscle contraction can occur. So, muscles remain in their contracted state without ATP
Relaxation of a Muscle Fiber
ATP provides the energy for pumping Ca2+ ions back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum. After binding of ATP with myosin cross bridge, then it breaks the bond between actin and myosin. In cross-bridge, ATP is hydrolyzed by ATPase. Without the formation of cross-bridges between the filaments, the muscle fiber loses its tension and becomes relaxed.