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BIO NMDCAT Muscles
nmdcat.online July 28, 2026

The biological significance of caveolae in smooth muscle is that they:

A. Store massive amounts of intracellular calcium
B. Act as anchoring points for myosin filaments
C. Increase the surface area for rapid extracellular calcium influx
✓
D. Form electrical connections between adjacent smooth muscle cells

📝 Explanation

Smooth muscle lacks the extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum and true T-tubules of skeletal muscle. Instead, the sarcolemma has pouch-like infoldings called caveolae that contain a high density of calcium channels, facilitating the rapid influx of extracellular calcium needed for contraction.

📖 Additional Information

  • Store massive amounts of intracellular calcium
  • Act as anchoring points for myosin filaments
  • Increase the surface area for rapid extracellular calcium influx
  • Form electrical connections between adjacent smooth muscle cells

Smooth muscle lacks the extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum and true T-tubules of skeletal muscle. Instead, the sarcolemma has pouch-like infoldings called caveolae that contain a high density of calcium channels, facilitating the rapid influx of extracellular calcium needed for contraction.

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