T. Clark Brelje, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Robert L. Sorenson, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
6-160 Jackson Hall
321 Church St SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Skeletal muscle fibers are elongated cylindrical-shaped cells with multiple, peripherally located nuclei and a cytoplasm filled with contractile filaments.
Skeletal Muscle Cells - can vary in length from a few millimeters to almost a meter.
Myofibrils - the cytoplasm is filled with myofibrils that extend the entire length of the cell. Individual myofibrils are only seen where they are slightly separated.
Sarcomere - myofibrils show an alternating series of striations due to the repeating sarcomeres. (Shown better in the next two slides.)
A band - the main dark band
I band - the main light band
H band - thin light band in the middle of the A band
Z band - thin dark line in the middle of the I band
Satellite Cells - occur on the surface of muscle cells. Only their small nuclei of mostly heterochromatin can be identified.
Capillary - a collapsed capillary containing flattened RBCs is present on the left edge of the center muscle cell.