In the second century, Galen recognized that nerve and muscle were
functionally inseparable since contraction of muscle occurred only
if the nerves supplying that muscle were intact. He therefore
concluded that the shortening of a muscle was controlled by the
central nervous sytem while the extension of a muscle could occur
in the absence of innervation. Nerves, he thought, were the means
of transport for animal spirits to the muscles; the way in which
animal spirits may bring about contraction dominated the study of
muscle physiology from that time until the historical discovery of
Galvani that muscle could be stimulated electrically and that nerve
and muscle were themselves a source of electrical energy. It is now
well known that nerves conduct electrically and that transmission
from nerve to striated muscle is mediated by the chemical which is
liberated from nerve terminals onto the muscle membrane. In
vertebrates this chemical is acetylcholine (ACh). Thus the concept
of spirits that are released from nerves and control muscle
contraction directly, is no longer tenable. Nevertheless the
concept of 'substances' transported down nerv~s which directly
control many aspects of muscle has not been abandoned, and has in
fact been frequently reinvoked to account for the long-term regula
tion of many characteristics of muscle (see review by Gutmann,
1976) and for the maintenance of its structural integrity.
General
Imprint: |
Springer
|
Country of origin: |
Netherlands |
Release date: |
May 2012 |
First published: |
1978 |
Authors: |
Gerta Vrbova
|
Dimensions: |
235 x 155 x 13mm (L x W x T) |
Format: |
Paperback
|
Pages: |
233 |
Edition: |
Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1978 |
ISBN-13: |
978-9401095433 |
Categories: |
Books >
Reference & Interdisciplinary >
Interdisciplinary studies >
General
|
LSN: |
9401095434 |
Barcode: |
9789401095433 |
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