“Sarcolemma” is the name given to the cell membrane of myocytes (also known as muscle cells). Although the sarcolemma is similar to other cell membranes, it has other functions that set it apart. For instance, the sarcolemma transmits synaptic signals, helps generate action potentials, and is very involved in muscle contractions[1]. Unlike other cell membranes, the sarcolemma makes up small channels called “t-tubules” that pass through the entirety of muscle cells. It has also been found that the average sarcolemma is 10 m thick as opposed to the 4 m thickness of a general cell membrane[2][3].
- ^ Campbell, Kevin P.; Stull, James T. (11 April 2003). "Skeletal Muscle Basement Membrane-Sarcolemma-Cytoskeleton Interaction Minireview Series". Journal of Biological Chemistry. 278 (15): 12599–12600. doi:10.1074/jbc.r300005200.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Mitra, K.; Ubarretxena-Belandia, I.; Taguchi, T.; Warren, G.; Engelman, D. M. (11 March 2004). "Modulation of the bilayer thickness of exocytic pathway membranes by membrane proteins rather than cholesterol". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 101 (12): 4083–4088. doi:10.1073/pnas.0307332101.
- ^ REED, R.; HOUSTON, T. W.; TODD, P. M. (30 July 1966). "Structure and Function of the Sarcolemma of Skeletal Muscle". Nature. 211 (5048): 534–536. doi:10.1038/211534b0.