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Related Concept Videos

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
Visceral smooth muscle is found in the walls of all hollow organs, except the heart, and is a key player in the involuntary movements that drive the functioning of these internal organs. This tissue is arranged in...
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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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Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles01:13

Structure and Organization of Smooth Muscles

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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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The Contractile Ring02:15

The Contractile Ring

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Contractile rings are composed of microfilaments and are responsible for separating the daughter cells during cytokinesis. Contractile ring assembly proceeds along with other cell cycle events; however, very few mechanistic details are known about the timing and coordination of the contractile rings with the cell cycle.
A small GTPase, RhoA, controls the function and assembly of the contractile ring. RhoA belongs to the Ras superfamily of proteins. The activation of formins by RhoA promotes...
7.3K
Autonomic Nervous System01:22

Autonomic Nervous System

13.0K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a critical component of the peripheral nervous system, primarily responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. It functions in tandem with the central nervous system (CNS) to seamlessly coordinate various physiological processes without the need for conscious control.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions function antagonistically to maintain a dynamic...
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Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

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Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology
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Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology

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Sourcebook update: intestinal smooth muscle contractility and autonomic control.

Philip D Langton1

  • 1School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol , Bristol , United Kingdom.

Advances in Physiology Education
|April 21, 2018
PubMed
Summary

First-year students improved their understanding of gut motility regulation through an inquiry-based laboratory practical. Teamwork and identifying switched drugs enhanced discussions and laboratory report quality.

Keywords:
authentic inquiryautonomic receptor pharmacologylaboratory practicalmammalian gastrointestinal physiologyproblem-solving

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Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
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Last Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Bladder Smooth Muscle Strip Contractility as a Method to Evaluate Lower Urinary Tract Pharmacology
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Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Education

Background:

  • Traditional laboratory practicals often involve prescribed experiments.
  • Inquiry-based learning can enhance student engagement and understanding.
  • Autonomic nervous system regulation of gut motility is a key physiological concept.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design an inquiry-based laboratory practical for first-year students.
  • To assess the impact of an inquiry-led approach on student learning and teamwork.
  • To investigate the effects of cholinergic and adrenergic drugs on gut motility.

Main Methods:

  • Students worked in teams to identify intentionally switched drugs affecting gut motility.
  • Experiments focused on cholinergic and adrenergic receptor activity.
  • Laboratory reports were submitted by student teams, fostering collaboration.

Main Results:

  • Inquiry-led practical stimulated team discussions and collaboration.
  • Quality of team-submitted laboratory reports significantly improved compared to previous individual reports.
  • Students demonstrated improved understanding of gut motility regulation and antagonism concepts.

Conclusions:

  • Inquiry-based laboratory practicals can enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
  • Teamwork in laboratory settings promotes deeper understanding and better reporting.
  • Integrating inquiry into practicals is likely beneficial for science education.