Final answer:
Upon spotting prey, a tiger's muscle cells undergo a series of biochemical reactions that facilitate rapid movement. The chemistry of cellular components changes with increased metabolic rate, ATP conversion, and calcium-mediated interaction of muscle filaments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemistry of cellular components in muscles undergoes significant changes when a tiger springs into action at high speed upon spotting prey. This burst of speed is facilitated by several biochemical reactions. Predominantly, the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) releases the energy needed for muscle contraction. The ATP is rapidly replenished by creatine phosphate breakdown and glycolytic pathway activities within the muscle cells. Alongside this, calcium ions (Ca2+) play a pivotal role by binding to the protein troponin, allowing for the contraction of muscle fibers by facilitating the interaction between actin and myosin filaments. The sudden increase in demand for ATP triggers an increased metabolic rate in the muscle cells, similar to hummingbirds that have exceptionally high metabolic rates to sustain their activity levels. An enzyme called myosin kinase is activated in this process, further promoting the interaction of actin and myosin for muscle contraction. The cellular structure, including the cytoskeleton (CSK), adapts to these rapid biochemical changes, demonstrating elasticity to withstand the generated internal forces.