Asynchronous muscle
- Pronunciation
- /ay-SIN-kruh-nuhs MUH-suhl/
- Category
- Physiology
- Singular
- Asynchronous muscle
- Plural
- Asynchronous muscles
Definition
Muscle type found in certain insects, characterized by contractions that are not directly synchronized with the nervous system's signals, enabling rapid wing beats.
Etymology
From Greek 'a-', meaning 'not', and 'synchronous', meaning 'occurring at the same time'.
Example
The flight of a honeybee is powered by asynchronous muscles, allowing it to beat its wings at a high frequency.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Synchronous muscle
- Myofibrillar muscle
- Wing beat
- Flight
Usage Notes
Asynchronous muscles are particularly efficient for sustained rapid movements, such as those required for insect flight. They are typically found in species that need to beat their wings very quickly and for extended periods.