Asked in ETEA MDCAT 2019 2019Moderate

During muscle relaxation, the calcium ions are:

Correct answer: B. Transported back from the sarcoplasm into the sarcoplasmic reticulum

  • A. Released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the sarcoplasm
  • B. Transported back from the sarcoplasm into the sarcoplasmic reticulum
  • C. Further released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the sarcoplasm
  • D. Remain constant without any movement

Explanation

During muscle relaxation, calcium ions are actively transported back from the sarcoplasm into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which decreases their concentration in the sarcoplasm. This process allows the muscle fibers to relax as the removal of calcium ions leads to the detachment of the myosin heads from the actin filaments. Option B is correct because it accurately describes this process. The other options incorrectly describe the movement or state of calcium ions during muscle relaxation.

Last updated

About Muscle Contraction

Muscle contraction is explained by the sliding filament model, in which myosin heads pull actin filaments within sarcomeres using ATP. The topic covers calcium, troponin, tropomyosin, the neuromuscular junction and relaxation, with attention to how filament length stays almost constant while the sarcomere shortens.

Practise Support and Movement

738 free Support and Movement MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Exams that ask Biology questions like this

Biology is on 6 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

Related questions