What is the role of Tropomyosin in myofibril contraction?

Tropomyosin helps to regulate myofibril contraction. Before contraction, tropomyosin covers the myosin binding sites on the actin molecule, preventing the myosin heads from binding. During contraction, calcium binds to troponin, causes conformational change in troponin. This pulls tropomyosin away from the myosin binding sites as troponin is attached to tropomyosin. This exposes myosin binding sites, allowing myosin to bind. 

Answered by Laura H. Biology tutor

8026 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain the stages of protein synthesis


Rat poison is not always an effective rodenticide and will reduce in effectiveness with age. Explain why


How does increasing temperature affect the rate of a reaction in the presence of an enzyme.


What is speciation?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences