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Related Concept Videos

Smooth Muscle Contraction01:25

Smooth Muscle Contraction

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Smooth muscle contraction is a complex process vital for various bodily functions, from maintaining blood vessel tension to facilitating the movement of food through the digestive tract. Unlike striated muscles, smooth muscle contraction begins more slowly and lasts longer.
The onset of contraction is triggered by an increase in calcium ions within the sarcoplasm, similar to the process in striated muscle. However, smooth muscles have a relatively smaller reservoir of the sarcoplasmic...
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Muscle Contraction01:10

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In skeletal muscles, acetylcholine is released by nerve terminals at the motor endplate—the point of synaptic communication between motor neurons and muscle fibers. The binding of acetylcholine to its receptors on the sarcolemma allows entry of sodium ions into the cell and triggers an action potential in the muscle cell. Thus, electrical signals from the brain are transmitted to the muscle. Subsequently, the enzyme acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine to prevent excessive...
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Muscle Contraction01:15

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Relaxation of Skeletal Muscles01:29

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The period of muscle contraction primarily influences the duration of stimulation at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the presence of free calcium ions in the sarcoplasm, and the availability of energy or ATP to support contractions.
When an action potential reaches the axon terminal, it depolarizes the membrane and opens voltage-gated sodium channels. Sodium ions enter the cell, further depolarizing the presynaptic membrane. This depolarization causes voltage-gated calcium channels to open....
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Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles01:13

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Smooth muscle tissue is a type of muscle tissue that can be found lining various vital organs in the human body, including the lungs, blood vessels, digestive tract, and respiratory tract. This type of tissue is responsible for regulating the movements of these organs, playing crucial roles in the functioning of various systems, including the vascular, digestive, respiratory, and urinary systems.
Structure of smooth muscle cell
Smooth muscle cells are spindle-shaped with tapering ends and a...
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Functions of Smooth Muscles01:23

Functions of Smooth Muscles

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Smooth muscles are an important type of muscle tissue that plays a vital role in the involuntary movements of internal organs. For example, they help regulate the movement of food through the gut and the flow of blood through the circulatory system.
Function of visceral smooth muscles
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Measurement of Smooth Muscle Function in the Isolated Tissue Bath-applications to Pharmacology Research
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Measurement of Smooth Muscle Function in the Isolated Tissue Bath-applications to Pharmacology Research

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Stretch-activated conductances in smooth muscles.

Kenton M Sanders1, Sang Don Koh1

  • 1Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada 89557.

Current Topics in Membranes
|August 30, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Smooth muscle cells use stretch-activated ion channels to regulate excitability. Different channels mediate contraction in vascular muscles and reservoir function in visceral muscles.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Smooth muscle cell excitability is modulated by stretch-activated ion channels.
  • The specific ion channels expressed dictate the muscle's functional response to stretch.
  • Mechanosensitive ion channels generate either inward or outward currents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore mechanisms of the myogenic response in vascular smooth muscle.
  • To summarize progress in characterizing stretch-responsive inward current channels.
  • To discuss the role of outward currents and stretch-sensitive channels in visceral smooth muscles.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on mechanosensitive ion channels in smooth muscle.
  • Characterization of ionic conductances (inward and outward currents) in response to stretch.

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Focal Ca2+ Transient Detection in Smooth Muscle
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  • Hypothesizing mechanisms for stretch-induced smooth muscle contraction and relaxation.

    • Main Results:

    • Stretch-dependent activation of nonselective cation channels causes depolarization and contraction in vascular smooth muscle.
    • Stretch-sensitive two-pore domain potassium (K2P) channels contribute to reservoir function in visceral smooth muscles.
    • Mechanosensitive conductances are integral to the coordinated responses of smooth muscle tissues.

    Conclusions:

    • Stretch-activated ion channels are critical regulators of smooth muscle function.
    • Inward currents mediate vasoconstriction via the myogenic response.
    • Outward currents, like those from K2P channels, facilitate reservoir functions in visceral organs.