Excitation-contraction coupling

Excitation-contraction coupling is the process that links the electrical signals in muscle cells to their contraction. When a nerve sends a signal to a muscle, it causes a change in the muscle cell's membrane potential, leading to the release of calcium ions from storage within the cell. These calcium ions bind to proteins in the muscle fibers, triggering a series of events that cause the fibers to shorten and produce a contraction. Essentially, it's how an electrical impulse transforms into the mechanical action of muscle movement, enabling us to do everything from walking to lifting objects.