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Multiple Choice
What is explained by the sliding filament theory?
A
The mechanism of muscle contraction at the molecular level.
B
The process of nerve impulse transmission across synapses.
C
The generation of action potentials in neurons.
D
The regulation of calcium ions in the bloodstream.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the sliding filament theory, which explains the mechanism of muscle contraction at the molecular level.
Recognize that muscle contraction involves the interaction between actin and myosin filaments within the sarcomere, the functional unit of muscle fibers.
Learn that during contraction, myosin heads bind to actin filaments, forming cross-bridges, and then pivot to pull the actin filaments toward the center of the sarcomere.
Understand that ATP is required for the myosin heads to detach from the actin and re-cock, allowing the cycle to repeat and the muscle to contract further.
Note that calcium ions play a crucial role by binding to troponin, which causes a conformational change in tropomyosin, exposing the binding sites on actin for myosin attachment.