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Multiple Choice
Which of these events occurs first in muscle fiber contraction?
A
Binding of acetylcholine to receptors on the muscle fiber
B
Power stroke of the myosin heads
C
Detachment of myosin heads from actin
D
Release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the sequence of events in muscle contraction, which is initiated by a nerve impulse.
Recognize that the first event in muscle contraction is the binding of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, to receptors on the muscle fiber. This occurs at the neuromuscular junction.
Once acetylcholine binds to its receptors, it triggers an action potential in the muscle fiber, leading to depolarization.
Depolarization causes the sarcoplasmic reticulum to release calcium ions into the cytosol of the muscle cell.
Calcium ions bind to troponin, causing a conformational change that moves tropomyosin away from actin's binding sites, allowing myosin heads to attach to actin and initiate the power stroke.