Meat Quality: Composition, Muscle Tissue, and Rigor Mortis
Meat Composition and Muscle Tissue Properties
1. Meat Composition: Water, Protein, and Fat
In cattle, meat composition typically consists of:
- Protein: 20-22%
- Water: 70-73%
- Lipids (Fat): 4-8%
Intramuscular fat is characterized by a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids.
2. Four Types of Tissue
The four primary types of tissue are:
- Epithelial: Skin
- Connective: Blood and bone connective tissue
- Nervous
- Muscular:
- Smooth or involuntary (bowel and stomach)
- Striated involuntary or cardiac (heart)
- Voluntary or striated
Understanding the Musculoskeletal System: Muscles, Bones, and Joints
The Musculoskeletal System: An Overview
The musculoskeletal system enables movement through the combined action of the muscular and skeletal systems. The muscular system consists of muscles, while the skeletal system comprises bones and joints. Together, they form the locomotor system.
Muscles
Parts of a Muscle
- Belly: The central, fleshy part of the muscle.
- Tendons: The connective tissues at the ends of the muscle that attach it to bones.
Types of Muscles
- Simple Muscles: Have a single belly, such as the
Understanding the Human Spine: Structure and Function
The Human Spine: Structure and Function
The basic element of the spine is the vertebra. This bone structure is repeated up to 33 times to form a column. It is classified into five different regions according to location:
- Cervical: Composed of 7 cervical vertebrae, extending from the occipital bone of the head to the thoracic vertebrae, forming the neck.
- Thoracic: Consists of 12 vertebrae and supports the thorax.
- Lumbar: Contains 5 vertebrae and corresponds to the abdomen.
- Sacral: 5 fused vertebrae forming
Cellular Biology, Neurons, Bone, and Connective Tissues
1. Cellular Structure & Function
Cell
The smallest living unit, responsible for metabolism, reproduction, and response to stimuli. Composed of a plasma membrane, cytoplasm (organelles, cytoskeleton), and nucleus. “Continuity of life is based on cells” (Week 1, Lectures [103], [109]).
Plasma Membrane
Structure: A phospholipid bilayer interspersed with proteins (integral, peripheral), cholesterol (for stability), and carbohydrates (glycocalyx for cell recognition).
Functions:
- Physical barrier
Pelvic Girdle and Leg Joints: Anatomy and Function
Joints of the Pelvic Girdle
1. Sacroiliac Joint
The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum to the ilium (part of the hip bone). The articular surfaces are the auricular surfaces of the sacrum and ilium. It is stabilized by ligaments and a joint capsule. This cartilaginous joint has limited mobility, allowing for slight gliding movements. It facilitates nutation (inferior end of the sacrum moves posteriorly) and counternutation (inferior end of the sacrum moves anteriorly). The axis of movement is horizontal,
Read MoreAnatomy of Chest, Abdomen, and Facial Muscles
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Major Chest Muscles
Pectoralis Major: Running from the collarbone and sternum up to the first ribs, its function is upper limb adduction and it’s inspiring.
Pectoralis
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