Biological Sciences

Sarcomere structure with actin, myosin filaments, and regulatory proteins.

This scientific illustration depicts the structure of a sarcomere, the fundamental contractile unit in striated muscle. The sarcomere is bounded by Z disks, where actin filaments (thin filaments) are anchored. The diagram highlights essential regulatory proteins such as CapZ, which caps the (+)-end of actin filaments at the Z disk, and tropomodulin, which binds to the (–)-end to control filament length.

The image also shows titin, a large elastic protein extending from the Z disk to the M line, providing passive elasticity and structural alignment. Nebulin spans along the actin filaments, stabilizing their length and ensuring precise alignment. The interlacing of actin filaments with myosin filaments (thick filaments) demonstrates the core arrangement responsible for the sliding filament mechanism that drives muscle contraction.

This detailed and visually clear diagram is ideal for textbooks, scientific journals, e-books, or educational resources focused on muscle physiology, sarcomere structure, or the mechanisms of muscle contraction.

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