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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the term sarcomere?
A
A type of muscle fiber responsible for slow, sustained contractions
B
The basic contractile unit of a muscle fiber
C
A protein that binds to actin during muscle contraction
D
The region where myosin heads attach to actin filaments
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the term 'sarcomere' is related to muscle structure and function.
Recognize that a sarcomere is a segment within a myofibril, which is a component of muscle fibers.
Identify that the sarcomere is the basic contractile unit of a muscle fiber, meaning it is the smallest functional unit that can contract.
Note that the sarcomere is defined by the region between two Z-lines (or Z-discs) in a myofibril.
Understand that during muscle contraction, the sarcomere shortens as actin and myosin filaments slide past each other, which is facilitated by the attachment of myosin heads to actin filaments.