Page 104 - The Miracle of Electricity in the Body

102 THE MIRACLE OF ELECTRICITY IN THE BODY

The Electrical Order in the Muscle Cells
Transmission of electrical current to the muscle cells causes a volt-
age change. This change affects sacs in the sensitive calcium channels,
and calcium ions are deposited inside the cell. Release of calcium from
the sacs causes tropomyosins to move and the region where actin inter-
act with myosin to open. Via this very important process, contraction in
the muscle cells can occur as the proteins slide over one another. In their
normal state, however, actin fibers are covered with proteins known as
63
tropomyosins. Therefore, the release of calcium ions, via the electrical
interaction inside the muscle cells, provides our ability to move.
When a nervous stimulus arrives at the muscle fibers, a chain reac-
tion of complex biological phenomena begins within the cell, releasing
the energy the muscle fibers need to contract. When the electrical current
reaches a muscle cell and calcium atoms are released, this is transmitted
to the DNA. In the relevant sections of the DNA, RNA synthesis takes
place where the requisite enzymes* are to be manufactured. In order for
this to occur, all the stages of enzyme synthesis, DNA activation, the ini-
tiation of RNA production and its transport outside the nucleus must be
controlled by enzymes. Finally, ATPaz*, just one of the enzymes pro-
64
duced, carries out the use of ATPs*, and another enzyme ensures that
the ATPaz goes to the correct location. Following that, millions of the en-
ergy packets called ATP are combined with millions of proteins, and
contraction occurs as the ATP is used up. In the wake of contraction,
ATP is again expended. The calcium ions distributed through the cell are
again brought back to fill the sacs. Tropomyosins cover the actins once
again, thus preparing millions of muscle fibers for another contraction.
The substance ATP inside the cell turns into ADP* by giving off
phosphorus and releasing a significant quantity of energy. However,
since this source of energy rapidly becomes used up, the ADP that forms

*Enzyme: a catalyst protein that initiates and accelerates all vital functions. Enzymes speed
up biochemical reactions.
*ATPaz: the enzyme that accelerates the formation of ADP from ATP.
*ATP (adenosine triphosphate): the cellular energy molecule used directly by living things to
produce biological energy. The ATP molecule is present in large quantities in the muscles. It
serves as an emergency energy source to provide power for biochemical reactions.
*ADP (adenosine diphosphate): a compound that forms when a phosphate group leaves
ATP.