The Ultrastructure of the White Striated Myotomal Muscle of the Cod, Gadus morhua

Abstract

The structure of the white skeletal muscle of the cod (Gadus morhua) is described. The peripheral fibrils are ribbon-like and rectangular in cross section with the long axis normal to the sarcolemma. The inner fibrils are mainly polygonal in cross section. Most of the mitochondria and nuclei are peripheral to the fibrils and next to the sarcolemma. The arrangement of the contractile proteins is typical for striated muscle, and the sarcoplasmic reticulum and transverse tubular system are similar to those in other white skeletal fish muscle. A distinct N-band is apparent with indications of branching and reorientation of the actin filaments. Mitochondria are often closely associated with the Z line.