How Do Action Potentials Relate to Muscle Contraction?
In muscle cells, action potentials play a key role in initiating contraction. When an action potential travels along the sarcolemma (muscle cell membrane), it triggers the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The increase in intracellular calcium concentration leads to the interaction of actin and myosin filaments, resulting in muscle contraction. The process of excitation-contraction coupling is essential for muscle function.
