Which structural protein in muscle fibers contributes to elasticity and returns stretched sarcomeres to resting length after contraction or stretch?
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Correct answer: Titin
Titin spans from the Z-disc to the M-line and acts as a molecular spring, contributing to the passive elasticity of muscle and restoring sarcomere length after stretch or contraction.
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More Muscle Physiology and Contraction questions
- During prolonged, repeated contractions (fatigue), which factor contributes to decreased force generation in muscle fibers?
- Which structure is the basic contractile unit of skeletal muscle that shortens during contraction?
- According to the sliding filament theory, which of the following occurs during muscle contraction?
- Which zone or band of the sarcomere remains constant in length during contraction, according to the sliding filament model?
- What triggers calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in skeletal muscle during excitation–contraction coupling?
- In the absence of sufficient intracellular calcium, muscle contraction cannot proceed because: