1.
Muscle cells are stimulated by neurotransmitters released from the tips of:
Correct Answer
B. Motor cell axons
Explanation
Muscle cells are stimulated by neurotransmitters released from the tips of motor cell axons. Motor cell axons are responsible for transmitting signals from the central nervous system to the muscles. When a motor neuron is activated, it releases neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction, which then bind to receptors on the muscle cell membrane. This binding triggers a series of events that ultimately result in muscle contraction. Therefore, the neurotransmitters released from the tips of motor cell axons are essential for initiating muscle cell activation and contraction.
2.
All of the following are involved in the contraction of a muscle EXCEPT:
Correct Answer
B. CAMP
Explanation
cAMP, or cyclic adenosine monophosphate, is not directly involved in the contraction of a muscle. Instead, it serves as a secondary messenger in intracellular signaling pathways. Actin, myosin, tropomyosin, and troponin are all key components of the muscle contraction process. Actin and myosin interact to generate the force for muscle contraction, while tropomyosin and troponin regulate this interaction by controlling the exposure of binding sites on actin.
3.
When an organism dies, its muscles remain in a contracted state termed rigor mortis for a brief period of time. Which of the following most directly contributes to this phenomenon?
Correct Answer
A. No ATP to break bonds between the actin and myosin
Explanation
Rigor mortis occurs when the muscles of a dead organism become stiff and locked in a contracted state. This phenomenon is caused by a lack of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is required for muscle relaxation. ATP is needed to break the bonds between actin and myosin, the proteins responsible for muscle contraction. Without ATP, the actin and myosin remain bound together, resulting in the rigidity of muscles observed during rigor mortis.
4.
Which of the following does not form part of the actin filament of a muscle cell?
Correct Answer
D. Myosin
Explanation
Myosin is not a part of the actin filament of a muscle cell. Myosin is a protein that forms the thick filament in muscle cells and is responsible for the contraction of muscles. Actin filaments, on the other hand, are composed of the protein actin and are involved in muscle contraction by interacting with myosin. Therefore, myosin is not a part of the actin filament in a muscle cell.
5.
Which of the following is the last step leading up to muscle contraction that occurs just before a myofibril contracts
Correct Answer
A. Tropomyosin exposes binding sites on actin
Explanation
Tropomyosin is a protein that covers the binding sites on actin, preventing myosin from binding to actin. When tropomyosin exposes the binding sites on actin, it allows myosin to bind to actin, which is an essential step for muscle contraction to occur. This allows the sliding filament mechanism to take place, where myosin pulls on actin, causing the muscle to contract. Therefore, tropomyosin exposing the binding sites on actin is the last step leading up to muscle contraction before a myofibril contracts.
6.
What is the role of calcium in muscle contractions?
Correct Answer
A. To bind with troponin, changing its shape so that the actin filament is exposed
Explanation
Calcium plays a crucial role in muscle contractions by binding with troponin, a protein found on the actin filament. This binding causes a conformational change in troponin, which then moves tropomyosin away from the myosin-binding sites on actin. This exposure of the actin filament allows myosin heads to bind with actin and initiate the contraction process. Therefore, calcium's role in muscle contractions is to bind with troponin and facilitate the interaction between actin and myosin.
7.
During muscle contraction, the ion that leaks out of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and induces myofibrils to contract is
Correct Answer
D. Ca2+
Explanation
During muscle contraction, the ion that leaks out of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and induces myofibrils to contract is Ca2+. Calcium ions bind to the regulatory protein troponin, causing a conformational change that allows the myosin heads to interact with the actin filaments. This interaction leads to the sliding of the actin and myosin filaments, resulting in muscle contraction.
8.
1. Tropomyosin shifts and unblocks the cross-bridge binding sites.
2. Calcium is released and binds to troponin.
3. Transverse tubules depolarize the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
4. The thin filaments are ratcheted across the thick filaments by the heads of the myosin molecules and ATP.
5. An action potential in a motor neuron causes the axon to release acetylcholine, which depolarizes the muscle cell membrane.
For the events listed above, which of the following is the correct sequence for their occurrence during the excitation and contraction of a muscle cell?
Correct Answer
D. 5, 3, 2, 1, 4
Explanation
The correct sequence for the events during the excitation and contraction of a muscle cell is as follows:
1. An action potential in a motor neuron causes the axon to release acetylcholine, which depolarizes the muscle cell membrane. (Event 5)
2. Transverse tubules depolarize the sarcoplasmic reticulum. (Event 3)
3. Calcium is released and binds to troponin. (Event 2)
4. Tropomyosin shifts and unblocks the cross-bridge binding sites. (Event 1)
5. The thin filaments are ratcheted across the thick filaments by the heads of the myosin molecules and ATP. (Event 4)
9.
Which type of muscle is responsible for peristalsis along the digestive tract?
Correct Answer
B. Smooth
Explanation
Smooth muscle is responsible for peristalsis along the digestive tract. Peristalsis is the coordinated contraction and relaxation of muscles that helps move food through the digestive system. Smooth muscle is found in the walls of the digestive organs and is involuntary, meaning it is not under conscious control. This type of muscle is able to contract and relax in a rhythmic pattern, allowing for the movement of food through the digestive tract.