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Myosin is one of the protein molecules that (together
with tropomyosin,
troponin,
and actin) forms the cylindrical structures called myofibrils that,
together, form muscle
fibers.
Myofibrils consist of two types of protein filaments, called
thin
filaments, and thick
filaments. Myosin molecules, form the thick filaments,
whose structure is illustrated below (lower image).
 Above:
Diagram of a single myosin molecule.
Above: Diagram of a Thick Filament
There are approx. 200 myosin molecules forming a typical thick
filament. These molecules are arranged with their "tails" parallel to
each other as illustrated above.
Myosin molecules are important for the process
of muscle contraction. The myosin "heads" or "crossbridges" are attached
to "myosin-binding sites" on positions on another protein called actin,
which is located in the thin filaments of the myofibrils.
For further detail about myosin, visit Washington
University’s
Department of Neurology's website.
This Section consists of short summaries about the
structures that form the muscles of the body.
This list is not exhaustive but is intended to be appropriate for students
of A-Level Human Biology, ITEC courses in massage and related subjects,
and some other courses in Health Sciences.
For more general information about Muscles see
the pages about: Anterior
Muscles, Posterior
Muscles, Facial
Muscles, Terminology
about Muscles, and the Structure
of Muscles. |
