When a muscle cell is given the signal to contract from its associated nerves, it releases a flood of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, that surrounds the bundles of actin and myosin filaments. The calcium ions rapidly spread and bind to tropomyosins on the actin filaments.
Powered by ATP, The calcium pump on the membrane pumps calcium ions back into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, reducing the calcium level around the actin and myosin filaments and allowing the muscle to relax.