noun
- A protein filament that is a structural component of muscle fibers, responsible for muscle contraction.
Usage: technical; biology/anatomy
Examples
- Myofilaments are composed of thick filaments made of myosin and thin filaments made of actin.
- The sliding of myofilaments past each other causes muscle contraction.
- Thick myofilaments contain myosin heads that bind to actin molecules.
- Thin myofilaments are anchored at the Z-disc of the sarcomere.
- Muscle diseases can result from defects in myofilament proteins.
- During muscle relaxation, myofilaments return to their resting position.