In: Anatomy and Physiology
Which statement about the microscopic anatomy of skeletal muscle fibers is incorrect?
a. Myofibrils fill the sarcoplasm.
b. Striations result from the ordered (regular) alignment of thick and thin filaments.
c. Skeletal muscle cells are connected via intercalated discs.
d. Contain mitochondria for energy.
e. All are true.
Answer : (c) Skeletal muscle cells are connected via intercalated discs
A skeletal muscle is made up of hundreds of muscle fibers, grouped into fascicle. Each fascicle is surrounded by a connective tissue sheath called perimysium. A group of fascicles make up the skeletal muscle which is covered by a sheath called epimysium. Each skeletal muscle fiber is a single muscle cell, composed of many myofibrils. The membrane of the skeletal muscle fiber is the sarcolemma. The cytoplasm of the cell is the sarcoplasm.
The myofibrils are mcomposed of thick and thin myofilaments giving the striated appearance of the muscle.
The muscle fibers contain mitochondria to deal with the energy demands of the cell.
'Intercalated discs' are not found in skeletal muscle. They are part of cardiac muscle.