Smooth muscle cells are capable of synthesizing which extracellular matrix components?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Collagen and elastin
Unlike skeletal and cardiac muscle, smooth muscle cells possess significant synthetic activity. They produce the collagen, elastin, and proteoglycans that make up the external lamina and matrix surrounding them.
Keep practicing
More Smooth Muscle Histology questions
- Under a light microscope, how does a cross-section of smooth muscle appear compared to a longitudinal section?
- What is the primary mechanism for terminating a smooth muscle contraction?
- Smooth muscle is innervated by the autonomic nervous system. What are the 'swellings' along the axons that release neurotransmitters called?
- Which of the following describes the regenerative capacity of smooth muscle?
- The 'latch state' in smooth muscle is biologically significant because it allows for:
- What happens to the appearance of the smooth muscle cell nucleus during powerful contraction?