Spirostomum uses a calcium-activated protein network to contract at remarkable speed without conventional muscle fibers.

The type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) is an important calcium release channel in skeletal muscles essential for muscle contraction. It mediates calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, a ...

Every movement we make, from blinking to sprinting, depends on the ability of muscle fibers to contract in a rapid and ...

Researchers have developed a novel method for simultaneously recording action potentials (APs)—temporary changes in electrical potential when cells become excited—and calcium transients—calcium ...

Muscle function depends on the precise movement of calcium ions between cytosolic and intracellular stores. At rest, cytosolic Ca2+ is maintained at low nanomolar ...

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. What makes the cells of the muscles contract? – ...

(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like ...