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Multiple Choice
Which structure within a muscle detects changes in muscle length and helps regulate muscle stretch?
A
Sarcomere
B
Muscle spindle
C
Golgi tendon organ
D
Motor end plate
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the function of each structure listed in the options. The sarcomere is the basic contractile unit of a muscle fiber, responsible for muscle contraction, but it does not detect changes in muscle length.
Step 2: Learn about the muscle spindle. Muscle spindles are specialized sensory receptors located within the muscle that detect changes in muscle length and play a key role in regulating muscle stretch through the stretch reflex.
Step 3: Examine the Golgi tendon organ. This structure is located in the tendons and primarily detects changes in muscle tension, not muscle length.
Step 4: Review the motor end plate. The motor end plate is the site where a motor neuron communicates with a muscle fiber to initiate contraction, but it does not detect changes in muscle length or regulate stretch.
Step 5: Based on the above analysis, identify the correct structure that detects changes in muscle length and regulates muscle stretch as the muscle spindle.