Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Excitation-contraction coupling is the physiological process by which an electrical stimulus leads to muscle contraction. It bridges the gap between the generation of an action potential in a muscle fiber and the onset of contraction.
Related terms
Action potential: A rapid rise and subsequent fall in voltage or membrane potential across a cellular membrane.
Sarcoplasmic reticulum: A specialized type of smooth endoplasmic reticulum that regulates calcium ion concentration in the cytoplasm of striated muscle cells.
Cross: bridge cycle - The process during muscle contraction where myosin heads bind to actin, undergo a power stroke, and then detach from actin, leading to muscle shortening