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Multiple Choice
Which region of the sarcomere does not change in length during muscle contraction?
A
Z disc
B
H zone
C
A band
D
I band
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of the sarcomere: The sarcomere is the functional unit of a muscle fiber, composed of repeating units of actin (thin filaments) and myosin (thick filaments). Key regions include the Z disc, A band, I band, and H zone.
Learn the role of the A band: The A band is the region of the sarcomere that contains the entire length of the thick filaments (myosin). It also overlaps with thin filaments (actin) in certain areas.
Analyze what happens during muscle contraction: During contraction, the sarcomere shortens as the actin filaments slide over the myosin filaments. This causes changes in the lengths of the I band and H zone, but the A band remains constant because the length of the thick filaments does not change.
Compare the regions: The Z disc marks the boundary of the sarcomere and moves closer together during contraction. The I band (thin filaments only) and H zone (region with thick filaments only) decrease in length, while the A band remains unchanged.
Conclude that the A band does not change in length during muscle contraction, as it represents the fixed length of the thick filaments within the sarcomere.