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Multiple Choice
Which theory explains how muscle fibers shorten during contraction?
A
All-or-none law
B
Cross-bridge cycling theory
C
Length-tension relationship
D
Sliding filament theory
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the concept of muscle contraction. Muscle fibers shorten during contraction due to interactions between actin and myosin filaments within the sarcomere, the functional unit of a muscle.
Step 2: Learn about the Sliding Filament Theory, which explains how muscle contraction occurs. According to this theory, actin (thin filaments) and myosin (thick filaments) slide past each other, causing the sarcomere to shorten without the filaments themselves changing length.
Step 3: Explore the role of cross-bridge cycling in the Sliding Filament Theory. Myosin heads attach to actin filaments, forming cross-bridges. These heads then pivot, pulling the actin filaments toward the center of the sarcomere, and detach to repeat the cycle.
Step 4: Understand the importance of ATP in this process. ATP is required for the myosin heads to detach from actin and reset for another cycle of contraction. Without ATP, the cross-bridge cycling cannot continue.
Step 5: Review the structural changes during contraction. The I-band (region of actin not overlapped by myosin) and the H-zone (region of myosin not overlapped by actin) decrease in size, while the A-band (length of the myosin filament) remains constant, confirming the sliding mechanism.