Term Name:	smooth muscle contraction
Synonyms:	visceral muscle contraction
Definition:	A process in which force is generated within smooth muscle tissue, resulting in a change in muscle geometry. Force generation involves a chemo-mechanical energy conversion step that is carried out by the actin/myosin complex activity, which generates force through ATP hydrolysis. Smooth muscle differs from striated muscle in the much higher actin/myosin ratio, the absence of conspicuous sarcomeres and the ability to contract to a much smaller fraction of its resting length.
Ontology:	GO: Biological Process [GO:0006939]    QuickGO    AmiGO