1. Skeletal muscle is composed of myofibrils and sarcomeres which contain actin and myosin filaments.
2. Muscle contraction occurs when an action potential causes calcium release and the myosin heads bind to actin, pulling the filaments together which shortens the sarcomere.
3. ATP provides energy for the myosin heads to detach from actin, allowing for muscle relaxation and the process to repeat with the next action potential.