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Multiple Choice
What causes rigor mortis during the early stages after death?
A
Depletion of ATP, preventing detachment of myosin from actin filaments
B
Increased oxygen supply to muscle tissues
C
Rapid breakdown of muscle proteins by enzymes
D
Excess production of lactic acid, causing muscle contraction
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of rigor mortis: Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles that occurs after death due to biochemical changes in muscle tissue.
Recall the role of ATP in muscle contraction: ATP is required for the detachment of myosin heads from actin filaments during the muscle relaxation phase.
Analyze what happens after death: After death, ATP production ceases because cellular respiration stops, leading to a depletion of ATP in muscle cells.
Connect ATP depletion to rigor mortis: Without ATP, myosin heads remain bound to actin filaments, preventing muscle relaxation and causing the muscles to stiffen.
Eliminate incorrect options: Increased oxygen supply, rapid breakdown of muscle proteins, and excess lactic acid production do not directly explain rigor mortis. The correct answer is the depletion of ATP preventing detachment of myosin from actin filaments.