Richland College
Biol. 2401
Marieb A&P Lab Manual - 11th Edition
ACTIVITY 5: Audiometry
MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY & ORGANIZATION OF MUSCLE TISSUE
OBJECTIVES
1. To describe the structure of skeletal muscle from gross to microscopic levels.
2. To define and explain the role of the following, including finding them on models:
Fiber
Myosin
Perimysium
Myofibril
Aponeurosis
Endomysium
Myofilament
Tendon
Actin
Epimysium
3. To describe the structure of a neuromuscular junction and explain its function.
4. To identify key features on microscopic skeletal muscle.
NOTES:
I. Connective tissue components:
 fascia
 tendon/aponeurosis
 epimysium
 perimysium
 endomysium
II. General structures of a muscle cell (fiber):
 sarcolemma
 T-tubules
 sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) with terminal cisternae
 myofilaments: thin vs. thick
III. Sarcomere:
 A band - M line and H zone
 I band - Z disc
ACTIVITY 1: SKELETAL MUSCLE ANATOMY (models)
Examine the general structures of skeletal muscle: sarcolemma down to myofilaments;
and connective tissue components: tendon, aponeurosis, epimysium, perimysium, endomysium.
ACTIVITY 2: MICROSCOPIC STRUCTURE OF MUSCLE TYPES
Microscopic identification and differentiation: skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscle types
 Skeletal muscle - striated, multinucleate
 Cardiac muscle - striated, uninucleate with branchings and intercalated discs
 Smooth muscle - non-striated, uninucleate, and spindle
Examine the 3 types of muscle tissue in models as well as.
ACTIVITY 3: NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION
Examine NMJ structures in models and microscopic slide:
 axonal terminal with Ach-containing synaptic vesicles
 synaptic cleft
 motor end plate with ACh receptors
NOTE: all available at Martini website. Open MAP, click on STUDY AREA, which takes you to the
Martini website.
 INTERACTIVE PHYSIOLOGY MUSCULAR SYSTEM – Excellent review!
 Practice Anatomy Lab (histology, cat dissection, human cadaver, models)
 Histology Atlas