In order for myosin to connect to actin's active sites, Ca ions must be released from storage in the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the sarcoplasm. A nerve impulse stimulates the release of Ca ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Once the Ca ions are released into the sarcoplasm, they bind to troponin. Once they bind to troponin, troponin no longer is bound to tropomyosin. Tropomyosin is now no longer covering up actin's active sites, thus allowing myosin to attach to actin's active sites.
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