Asked in UHS MDCAT 2017 2017Moderate

Which of the following changes occurs when skeletal muscles contract:

Correct answer: C. I-band shortens and Z-lines come close to each other

  • A. I-band shortens only
  • B. A-band shortens and Z-lines move apart
  • C. I-band shortens and Z-lines come close to each other
  • D. Actin filament contracts

Explanation

The I- band is the region near the Z - disc where we only have the actin filament. As the sarcomere contracts, the actin overlaps with the myosin filament, shortening the I band as well as bringing the Z discs closer to each other.

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