Final answer:
Myofilaments are comprised of actin and myosin proteins that interact to cause muscle contraction. Actin filaments slide over myosin filaments, powered by ATP, to shorten muscle cells during contraction. Myofilaments are specific types of microfilaments essential for muscle cell function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Myofilaments are the small structures that make up myofibrils within muscle cells. They include two primary types of proteins: actin and myosin. The actin filaments, known as thin filaments, are composed of two intertwined strands of actin and work in conjunction with the thick filaments composed of myosin. During muscle contraction, myosin heads temporarily bind to the actin and, through a change in conformation, cause the actin filaments to slide over the thick myosin filaments, shortening the sarcomere, the unit of contraction in a muscle cell. This motion is powered by ATP, which is necessary for the contraction cycle to occur. Furthermore, myofilaments are specific types of microfilaments that play a critical role in the contraction process of muscle cells.