sarcomere
/ˈsɑrkəˌmɪr/
noun
- The basic structural unit of a muscle fiber, responsible for muscle contraction.
- Under a microscope, the repeating pattern of sarcomeres gives muscle tissue a striped appearance.
- Each sarcomere shortens when a muscle contracts, pulling the fibers together.
- Damage to a single sarcomere can affect the strength of the entire muscle.