Multiple Choice
Which region of the sarcomere gives rise to the structure known as the Z line?
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9. Muscle Tissue
Sliding Filament Theory and the Sacromere
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What is the smallest functional unit of a muscle contraction?
A
Actin filament
B
Sarcomere
C
Myofibril
D
Muscle fiber
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the hierarchy of muscle structure: Muscles are composed of bundles of muscle fibers, which contain myofibrils, and these myofibrils are made up of repeating units called sarcomeres.
Recognize that a sarcomere is the smallest functional unit of a muscle, responsible for muscle contraction. It is the segment between two Z-lines in a myofibril.
Identify the components of a sarcomere: It contains actin (thin filaments) and myosin (thick filaments), which interact to produce contraction.
Understand the role of actin and myosin: During contraction, myosin heads bind to actin filaments and pull them inward, shortening the sarcomere.
Conclude that the sarcomere is the smallest unit that can contract independently, making it the smallest functional unit of muscle contraction.
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