Patton: Anatomy and Physiology, 9th Edition
Chapter 17: Muscle Contraction
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which of the following is not one of the major functions of muscles?
a. Movement
b. Protection
c. Heat production
d. Posture
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: General Functions
2. The plasma membrane of a muscle fiber is called the:
a. sarcolemma.
b. myofibril.
c. sarcoplasm.
d. sarcomere.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
3. Bundles of fine fibers that extend lengthwise along muscle fibers are
called:
a. myofibrils.
b. myofilaments.
c. striae.
d. sarcoplasmic reticulum.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
4. The smallest contractile unit of muscle is a:
a. fiber.
b. myofibril.
c. sarcomere.
d. myofilament.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
5. _____ muscle is also known as striated muscle.
a. Smooth
b. Skeletal
c. Involuntary
d. Visceral
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
6. The ability of muscle cells to respond to nerve stimuli is called:
a. irritability.
b. contractility.
c. extensibility.
d. elasticity.
ANS: A
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Function of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
7. In the structure called a triad, the T-tubule is sandwiched between:
a. actin filaments.
b. myofibrils.
c. sarcolemmas.
d. sacs of sarcoplasmic reticulum.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
8. The chief function of the T-tubules is to:
a. provide nutrients to the muscle fiber.
b. allow for the fiber to contract.
c. allow for electrical signals to move deeper into the cell.
d. allow for the generation of new muscle fibers.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
9. Which of the following proteins found in myofilaments contains the cross-
bridges?
a. Myosin
b. Actin
c. Tropomyosin
d. Troponin
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
10. The protein molecule that has heads jutting out for cross-bridging is:
a. actin.
b. myosin.
c. troponin.
d. tropomyosin.
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
11. Thick myofilaments extend the length of the:
a. A-band.
b. Z-line.
c. I-band.
d. None of the above are correct.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
12. The neurotransmitter(s) secreted at the motor end plates of skeletal mus-
cles is(are):
a. dopamine.
b. norepinephrine.
c. acetylcholine.
d. any of the above.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
13. The first event to occur in muscle relaxation is that:
a. tropomyosin returns to its original position.
b. myosin cross-bridges are prevented from binding to actin.
c. the sarcoplasmic reticulum begins actively pumping calcium back into its
sacs.
d. acetylcholine is released.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Relaxation
14. The ion necessary for cross-bridging is:
a. iron.
b. sodium.
c. potassium.
d. calcium.
ANS: D
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Relaxation
15. The purpose of creatine phosphate in muscle contraction is to:
a. carry oxygen.
b. store calcium.
c. replenish energy supply.
d. rotate the cross-bridges.
ANS: C
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: ATP
16. Aerobic respiration:
a. allows the body to avoid the use of oxygen for a short time.
b. results in the formation of an incompletely catabolized molecule.
c. results in the formation of lactic acid.
d. produces the maximum amount of energy available from each glucose
molecule.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Catabolic Pathways
17. Skeletal muscles are innervated by:
a. somatic motor neurons.
b. autonomic motor neurons.
c. both somatic and autonomic motor neurons.
d. internal stimulation.
ANS: A
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Motor Unit
18. A motor unit is most correctly described as a _____ and a motor neuron.
a. sarcomere(s)
b. myofibril(s)
c. muscle fiber(s)
d. filament(s)
ANS: C
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Motor Unit
19. White fibers are also called _____ fibers.
a. fast
b. slow
c. elongated
d. intermediate
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Types of Muscle Fibers
20. Most body movements are _____ contractions.
a. isotonic
b. isometric
c. a combination of isotonic and isometric
d. single twitch
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
21. Endurance training is also known as:
a. isometrics.
b. hypertrophy.
c. aerobic training.
d. strength training.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Effects of Exercise on Skeletal Muscles
22. During which phase of the twitch contraction is there a triggering of the
release of calcium ions into the sarcoplasm?
a. Latent period
b. Contraction phase
c. Relaxation phase
d. None of the above
ANS: A
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: The Twitch Contraction
23. Physiological muscle fatigue may be caused by:
a. a relative lack of ATP.
b. high levels of lactic acid.
c. failure of the sodium-potassium pumps.
d. all of the above.
ANS: D
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Muscle Fatigue
24. All of the following are true characteristics of an isometric contraction ex-
cept:
a. the muscle does not shorten.
b. it can produce work by tightening to resist a force.
c. movement is produced.
d. the tension produced by the myosin cross-bridges cannot overcome the
load placed on the muscle.
ANS: C
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
25. A contraction in which the tension within the muscle remains the same
but the length changes is called a(n) _____ contraction.
a. tonic
b. isotonic
c. isometric
d. tetanic
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
26. Attempting to pick up an object too heavy to lift would result in which
type of muscle contraction?
a. Isotonic
b. Flaccid
c. Treppe
d. Isometric
ANS: D
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
27. The graded strength principle states that:
a. muscle fibers either will contract with all the force possible under existing
conditions or will not contract at all.
b. skeletal muscles contract with the same degree of strength at all times,
but the force generated is graded.
c. muscle size is indirectly proportional to muscle strength.
d. skeletal muscles contract with varying degrees of strength at different
times.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
28. Painful muscle contractions or involuntary twitches are called:
a. tetanic contractions.
b. cramps.
c. convulsions.
d. fibrillations.
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Abnormal Muscle Contractions
29. The strength of a muscle contraction is influenced by the:
a. amount of load.
b. initial length of muscle fibers.
c. recruitment of motor units.
d. All of the above are correct.
ANS: D
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
30. Which of the following types of muscle tissue contains cells that have a
single nucleus?
a. Cardiac
b. Smooth
c. Skeletal
d. Both A and B
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
31. All of the following are characteristics of smooth muscle except:
a. there are no striations.
b. there are no T-tubules.
c. thin and thick filaments are aligned in sarcomeres like skeletal muscles.
d. the sarcoplasmic reticula are loosely organized.
ANS: C
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
32. From smallest to largest, which of the following is the correct order of ar-
rangement?
a. Fiber, myofibril, myofilament
b. Myofibril, myofilament, fiber
c. Myofilament, myofibril, fiber
d. Fiber, myofilament, myofibril
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
33. Sarcolemma is a:
a. system of transverse tubules that extend at a right angle to the long axis
of the cell.
b. segment of the myofibril between two successive Z-lines.
c. unique name for the plasma membrane of a muscle fiber.
d. None of the above are correct.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
34. Which of the following is not associated with the thin myofilament?
a. Troponin
b. Tropomyosin
c. Actin
d. Myosin
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
35. Cross-bridges are also called:
a. myosin heads.
b. motor end plates.
c. synapses.
d. motor neurons.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
36. Treppe is also called:
a. tetanus.
b. electromyography.
c. wave summation.
d. staircase phenomenon.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Treppe: The Staircase Phenomenon
37. Which of the following statements is incorrect about motor units?
a. Some motor neurons stimulate only a few dozen muscle fibers.
b. Some motor neurons stimulate a few thousand muscle fibers.
c. The more muscle fibers stimulated by a motor neuron, the more precise
the movements of that muscle can be.
d. All of the above statements are correct.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Motor Unit
38. A decrease in muscle size is termed:
a. hyperplasia.
b. atrophy.
c. hypertrophy.
d. treppe.
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Effects of Exercise on Skeletal Muscles
39. The characteristic of the muscle cell that directly causes movement is:
a. excitability.
b. irritability.
c. contractility.
d. extensibility.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
40. A sarcomere is a segment of myofibril between two successive:
a. Z-lines.
b. A-bands.
c. I-bands.
d. H-bands.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
41. The striations seen in skeletal muscle cells under the microscope are
what part of the sarcomere?
a. Z-lines
b. A-bands
c. I-bands
d. All of the above
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
42. The myofilament that can be described as a globular protein strung to-
gether like beads to form two intertwined strands is:
a. troponin.
b. actin.
c. myosin.
d. tropomyosin.
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
43. The myofilament that can be described as bundled golf clubs with their
heads sticking out from the bundle is:
a. troponin.
b. actin.
c. myosin.
d. tropomyosin.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
44. After it is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the calcium
combines with which protein?
a. Troponin
b. Actin
c. Myosin
d. Tropomyosin
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
45. Glucose can be stored in the muscle as:
a. creatine phosphate.
b. ATP.
c. myoglobin.
d. glycogen.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
46. The substance that attracts oxygen in the myoglobin molecule is:
a. hemoglobin.
b. calcium.
c. iron.
d. ATP.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
47. The lactic acid produced by anaerobic respiration is converted back to
glucose in the:
a. lungs.
b. liver.
c. mitochondria.
d. sarcoplasmic reticulum.
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Catabolic Pathways
48. Which of the following is not a factor in why a warm muscle contracts
more forcefully than a cool muscle?
a. ATP releases energy faster.
b. Calcium diffuses through the sarcoplasm more quickly.
c. Calcium tends to accumulate in the sarcoplasm.
d. All of the above are factors.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Treppe: The Staircase Phenomenon
49. Which of the following terms describes an isometric contraction?
a. Eccentric contraction
b. Static tension
c. Concentric contraction
d. Both A and C
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
50. A satellite cell in a muscle can become active:
a. during isotonic contractions.
b. during isometric contractions.
c. after an injury to a muscle.
d. when a muscle becomes fatigued.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
51. The myofibrils contain about how many sarcomeres?
a. 150,000
b. 15,000
c. 1500
d. 150
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
52. The motor end plate makes up part of the:
a. Z-line.
b. T-tubules.
c. sarcoplasmic reticulum.
d. neuromuscular junction.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Mechanism of Contraction
53. Which part of the sarcomere stays almost the same size during contrac-
tion?
a. A-band
b. I-band
c. H-band
d. None of the parts of the sarcomere stay the same size during contraction.
ANS: A
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
54. Muscles usually contract to about _____ of their length.
a. 30%
b. 40%
c. 80%
d. 90%
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
55. Muscle contractions will continue as long as:
a. the calcium ions are attached to the troponin.
b. there is dopamine in the neuromuscular junction.
c. there is ADP in the muscle cell.
d. T-tubules are transmitting impulses.
ANS: A
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Contraction, Relaxation
56. Which of the following is not an end-product of the breakdown of ATP?
a. An inorganic phosphate
b. Energy that can be used in muscle contraction
c. ADP
d. All of the above are end-products of the breakdown of ATP.
ANS: D
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Energy Sources for Muscle Contraction
57. Which type of muscle does not have T-tubules?
a. Smooth
b. Cardiac
c. Striated
d. All muscles have T-tubules.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Characteristics of Muscle Tissue
58. Which structure functions to temporarily store calcium ions?
a. T-tubules
b. Sarcolemma
c. Sarcoplasmic reticulum
d. Myofilaments
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
59. Which type of muscle is responsible for peristalsis?
a. Multiunit smooth
b. Single-unit smooth
c. Cardiac
d. Striated
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
60. Which of the following is not a name for a muscle cell?
a. Muscle fiber
b. Sarcocyte
c. Myocyte
d. All of the above are names for muscle cells.
ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
61. Which of the following is not a part of the neuromuscular junction?
a. T-tubules
b. Motor neuron
c. Motor end plate
d. All of the structures are part of the neuromuscular junction.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
62. Which of the following is an incorrect statement regarding heat produc-
tion?
a. The body temperature set point is established by the hypothalamus.
b. Shivering will increase body temperature.
c. Body temperature functions on a negative-feedback mechanism.
d. All of the above are correct.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Heat Production
63. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding muscle tone?
a. Tonic contractions is another name for muscle tone.
b. Muscle tone is important in maintaining posture.
c. Muscles with less than normal muscle tone are referred to as spastic.
d. All of the above statements are correct.
ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Muscle Tone
64. Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle is incorrect?
a. Cardiac muscle requires nervous stimulation to contract.
b. Cardiac muscle is also called striated involuntary muscle.
c. Cardiac muscle contains intercalated disks.
d. All of the above statements are correct.
ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
65. Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle is incorrect?
a. Cardiac muscle forms an electrically coupled mass called a syncytium.
b. Much of the calcium necessary for contraction comes from outside the
cell.
c. In cardiac muscles, the T-tubules form dyads rather than the triads formed
in skeletal muscles.
d. All of the above statements are correct.
ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
TRUE/FALSE
1. Myofibrils contain several sarcomeres lined up end to end.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
2. Another name for muscle cells is muscle fibers.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
3. Muscle cells have one nucleus and one mitochondrion.
ANS: F
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
4. Muscle fibers of skeletal muscle contain several nuclei.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
5. A triad consists of a T-tubule sandwiched between sacs of the sarcoplas-
mic reticulum.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
6. The following are characteristics that allow muscles to function as they do:
excitability, contractility, extensibility, and regulation.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
7. The cell membrane of a muscle fiber is called the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
8. The protein molecule that has heads jutting out for cross-bridging is called
myosin.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
9. A neuromuscular junction is a type of connection called a synapse.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
10. The sliding-filament theory is the current model of muscle contraction.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Contraction
11. Muscle fibers use creatine phosphate to restore their ATP population.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: ATP
12. ATP is made up of adenine, ribose sugar, and three phosphate groups.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: ATP
13. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in red blood cells, and myoglobin stores oxy-
gen in muscle fibers.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
14. Anaerobic respiration is the first choice of the muscle cell for the produc-
tion of ATP.
ANS: F
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Energy Sources for Muscle Contraction
15. T-tubules are perpendicular to muscle fibers.
ANS: T
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
16. Myosin filaments attach to the Z disk.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: A More Detailed Look at the Sarcomere
17. At rest, troponin covers the active sites on the actin molecules.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
18. A compound that mimics the action of acetylcholine at the neuromuscu-
lar junction would cause muscles to become flaccid.
ANS: F
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
19. Myosin filaments interact with actin filaments during muscle contraction.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
20. When sarcomeres shorten, myofibrils also shorten.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
21. For continued, efficient nutrient catabolism by muscle fibers, both glu-
cose and oxygen are required.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
22. Slow fibers are also called white fibers, because they contain a low
concentration of myoglobin.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Types of Muscle Fibers
23. A motor neuron plus the muscle fibers to which it attaches is called a mo-
tor unit.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Motor Unit
24. The more precise the muscle movement, the greater the number of mus-
cle fibers activated by a motor neuron.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Motor Unit
25. Muscles contract more forcefully after they have contracted a few times.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Treppe: The Staircase Phenomenon
26. Smooth, sustained contractions are called treppe.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Treppe: The Staircase Phenomenon
27. In psychological muscle fatigue, an individual cannot contract his or her
muscles.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Muscle Fatigue
28. Muscles with less-than-normal tone are described as in tetanus.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Muscle Tone
29. During an isotonic contraction, the tension produced by the myosin
cross-bridges cannot overcome the load placed on the muscle.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
30. The degree of a muscle’s strength is influenced by many factors,
including its metabolic condition and number of motor units recruited.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Graded Strength Principle
31. A tetanic contraction is stimulated by a single stimulus.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Tetanus
32. Skeletal muscle organs contract on the all-or-none principle.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
33. Treppe is a steep increase in the strength of contractions that can be
seen in a series of twitch contractions.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Treppe: The Staircase Phenomenon
34. The type of contraction exhibited by normal skeletal muscles most of the
time is called tetanus.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Tetanus
35. The study of muscle activity is called myography.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myography
36. The graded strength principle states that skeletal muscles contract with
varying degrees of strength at different times.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
37. As resistance increases, the number of motor units needed to overcome
that resistance has to increase.
ANS: T
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
38. Endurance training usually results in muscle hypertrophy.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Effects of Exercise on Skeletal Muscles
39. Convulsions are abnormal, uncoordinated tetanic contractions of varying
groups of muscles.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Abnormal Muscle Contractions
40. Cardiac muscle is similar to skeletal muscle in that both form strong,
electrically coupled junctions with other fibers.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
41. Fibrillation is a tetanic contraction of cardiac muscle.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Abnormal Muscle Contractions
42. T-tubules are found in all types of muscle tissue.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Characteristics of Muscle Tissue
43. In visceral smooth muscle, gap junctions join individual smooth muscle
fibers into large, continuous sheets.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
44. A satellite cell can fuse with myocytes during strength training to make
larger muscle fibers.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
45. Myocyte is another term for a muscle cell.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
46. Muscle pain may also be referred to as muscular dystrophy.
ANS: F
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Mechanisms of Disease
47. Duchenne (pseudohypertrophic) muscular dystrophy is the most common
type of muscular dystrophy.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Mechanisms of Disease
48. A motor neuron is considered part of the neuromuscular junction.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
49. Cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Abnormal Muscle Contractions
50. The thin myofilament is myosin, whereas the thick myofilament is actin.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
51. Skeletal muscle has a great ability to stretch.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
52. Muscle cells produce heat by the process of catabolism.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: General Functions
53. Actin, troponin, and tropomyosin are present on the thick myofilament.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
54. One I-band resides within two sarcomeres.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: A More Detailed Look at the Sarcomere
55. Rigor mortis occurs because of damage done to the sarcolemma after
death.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Rigor Mortis
56. The cell membrane of a muscle fiber is called the sarcolemma.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
57. Oxygen molecules in the sarcoplasm are bound to the troponin molecule.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
58. Myoglobin gives red muscle fibers their red color.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
59. Isometric contraction is a contraction in which the tone or tension within
a muscle remains the same, but the length of the muscle changes.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
60. The shorter a muscle before contraction, the more tension it will be able
to generate.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
61. Muscles with less tone than normal are described as flaccid.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Muscle Tone
62. The anabolism of protein by muscle cells produces heat for the body.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
63. Excitability and irritability are interchangeable terms in regard to muscle
cells.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Function of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
64. The sarcoplasmic reticulum in muscle cells is identical to the rough endo-
plasmic reticulum in other cells.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
65. T-tubules are formed by an inward extension of the sarcolemma.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
66. The sarcoplasmic reticulum continually pumps calcium ions out of the
sarcoplasm and stores them in sacs.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
67. Myofibrils make up myofilaments.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
68. The H-zone in a relaxed sarcomere is composed of only myosin.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
69. The A-band in a relaxed sarcomere is composed of only actin.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
70. The motor end plate is part of the neuromuscular junction.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
71. When the sarcomere contracts, the A-bands become smaller.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Contraction
72. When the sarcomere contracts, the I-bands become smaller.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
73. When troponin and calcium combine, it causes actin to shift and allows
the myosin to form cross-bridges.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
74. Because of the elasticity of the muscle fiber, as soon as the contraction
stops, the sarcomere goes back to its precontraction length.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Relaxation
75. Myosin heads detach from the actin molecule when ATP attaches to it.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: ATP
76. The difference between red and white fibers is the amount of glycogen.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
77. An accumulation of lactic acid in the muscle is the result of an oxygen
debt.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Catabolic Pathways
78. The release of calcium by the sarcoplasmic reticulum begins the contrac-
tion phase of a twitch contraction.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Twitch Contraction
79. Tetanus will not occur in an individual with an up-to-date tetanus vaccina-
tion.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Tetanus
80. Contraction of a small fraction of the total number of fibers in a muscle
produces muscle tone.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Muscle Tone
81. Maintaining muscle tone is one of the few examples of a positive-feed-
back mechanism in the body.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Muscle Tone
82. Recruitment is the term used to describe the addition of more motor
units to allow a muscle to increase its strength of contraction.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
83. The longer the initial length of a muscle, the stronger the contraction of
that muscle can be.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
84. Cardiac fibers form a continuous electrically coupled mass called a syn-
cytium.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
85. Because the heart is in almost constant contraction, its muscle cells have
larger sarcoplasmic reticula that can hold higher concentrations of calcium
ions.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
86. Smooth muscle can contract to shorter lengths than skeletal muscles.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
87. When smooth muscles have rhythmic contractions called peristalsis, they
are able to move food through the digestive tract.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
88. Muscle cells are called fibers, because they are long and thin. They can
be 40 mm long but only about 10 mm in diameter.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
89. T-tubules are unique to muscle cells.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
90. The liver has the ability to convert lactic acid back into glucose.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Catabolic Pathways
91. Cardiac muscles require a stimulus from a motor neuron to contract, just
as striated muscles do.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
92. In smooth muscle cells, the calcium needed for contraction comes from
outside the cell rather than from inside the cell as it does in striated muscle
contraction.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
93. In smooth muscle cells, the protein calmodulin takes the place of the sar-
coplasmic reticulum found in striated muscle cells.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
94. Skeletal muscles produce a major share of the heat generated by the
body.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: General Functions
95. When a muscle contracts, the muscle always becomes shorter.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
96. Muscle fibers have many nuclei, because they are the result of several
precursor cells joining together to make a mature muscle fiber.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
97. Only striated and cardiac muscles have triads; smooth muscles do not
contain T-tubules.
ANS: F
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells and Cardiac Muscle
98. The primary function of tropomyosin and troponin is to prevent a muscle
from contracting.
ANS: T
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
99. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contraction.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
100. When the muscle looks “at rest,” the ATP has already transferred its
energy to the actin fiber.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: ATP
101. The aerobic catabolic pathway that can supply energy to muscle cells is
called fermentation.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Catabolic Pathways
102. A muscle using anaerobic respiration would lower the pH of the blood
passing through the muscle.
ANS: T
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Catabolic Pathways
103. There are two types of isometric contractions: concentric contractions
and eccentric contractions.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
104. Eccentric muscle contractions actually result in the lengthening of the
muscle.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
105. The term striated involuntary muscle refers to cardiac muscle.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
106. Single-unit smooth muscle is another term for visceral muscle.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
107. Multiunit smooth muscle is more common in the body than single-unit
smooth muscle.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
108. There are three high-energy bonds in an ATP molecule.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: ATP
109. In muscles, oxygen can be transferred to the calcium by myoglobin mol-
ecules.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
110. Muscle has the ability to store oxygen in myoglobin and store glucose
as glycogen.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
111. Because the process of catabolism is less than 100% efficient, some of
the energy is given off as heat.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Heat Production
112. The pituitary gland is responsible for the homeostatic control of body
temperature.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Heat Production
113. Shivering in response to a drop in body temperature is an example of a
positive-feedback mechanism in the body.
ANS: F
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Heat Production
114. Each motor neuron in the motor unit is able to stimulate as many as two
dozen muscle fibers.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Motor Unit
115. The three phases of muscle contraction are contraction, relaxation, and
recovery.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Twitch Contraction
116. During the latent period of muscle contraction, the impulse is
transmitted from the sarcolemma to the sarcomere.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: The Twitch Contraction
117. In the “warmed up” muscle, the calcium ions are able to be completely
returned to the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Treppe: The Staircase Phenomenon
118. Tonic contractions give the muscle its muscle tone.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Muscle Tone
119. Muscles with less than normal muscle tone are called spastic.
ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Muscle Tone
120. The T-tubules in the heart form dyads rather than the triads found in
skeletal muscles.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
121. The result of endurance training is more blood vessels, not more muscle
cells.
ANS: T
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Effects of Exercise on Skeletal Muscles
MATCHING
Match each term with its corresponding definition or description.
a. Actin
b. Sarcolemma
c. Contractility
d. Tropomyosin
e. Extensibility
f. Myosin
g. T-tubule
h. Irritability
i. Sarcomere
j. Troponin
k. Motor unit
1. Name given to the plasma membrane of a muscle cell
2. Inward extensions of the sarcolemma that allow impulses to go deeper
into the cell
3. The ability of a muscle cell to be stimulated or excited
4. A neuron and all the muscle fibers it stimulates
5. Protein that blocks the receptor sites on the actin molecule
6. The ability of a muscle cell to shorten
7. Beadlike globular protein that makes up the thin myofilament
8. Protein that joins with calcium ions to allow cross-bridges to form
9. The ability of a muscle to stretch
10. Protein that looks like “bundled golf clubs”; makes up the thick myofila-
ment
11. A segment of the myofilament between two Z-lines
1. ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
2. ANS: G
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
3. ANS: H
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
4. ANS: K
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Motor Unit
5. ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
6. ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
7. ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
8. ANS: J
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
9. ANS: E
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Functions of Skeletal Muscle Tissue
10. ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
11. ANS: I
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
Match each term with its corresponding description regarding the sliding-fila-
ment theory.
a. Troponin
b. Myosin
c. Actin
d. T-tubules
e. ATP
f. Calcium
g. Cross-bridges
h. Tropomyosin
i. Acetylcholine
12. Protein that has active sites for cross-bridge heads
13. By energizing these structures, chemical energy is converted to mechani-
cal energy
14. The stimulus to contract the muscle is carried inside the muscle by this
structure
15. Protein that directly prevents the formation of cross-bridges in the sar-
comere
16. Chemical released by the motor neuron that initiates the stimulus for a
muscle contraction
17. Compound that supplies the energy for muscle contraction
18. Ion that is released by the sarcoplasmic reticulum
19. Protein that has cross-bridge heads that pull on the thin fiber
20. Protein that has receptor sites for an ion that causes it to change shape
and pull another protein away from the receptor sites on the actin
12. ANS: C
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
13. ANS: G
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Contraction
14. ANS: D
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
15. ANS: H
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
16. ANS: I
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Excitation of the Sarcolemma
17. ANS: E
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: ATP
18. ANS: F
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
19. ANS: B
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
20. ANS: A
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Contraction
OTHER
1. List and describe the three general functions of skeletal muscle tissue.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: General Functions
2. List three characteristics of muscles.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: General Functions, Functions of Cardiac and Smooth Muscle
3. Describe and/or diagram the sarcomere.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Overview of Muscle Cells
4. Describe the physiological process of muscle contraction.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Mechanism of Contraction
5. Define rigor mortis. Why does it occur?
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Rigor Mortis
6. Explain the role of ATP in muscle contraction.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: ATP
7. Explain how glycogen and myoglobin aid in muscle contraction.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Glucose and Oxygen
8. Differentiate among slow, fast, and intermediate fibers.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Types of Muscle Fibers
9. Explain how the treppe, or staircase, phenomenon applies to pre-exercise
warm-up.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Treppe: The Staircase Phenomenon, Effects of Exercise on Skeletal Mus-
cles
10. Explain what is meant by the graded strength principle of muscle con-
traction.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
11. List three conditions that influence the strength of muscle contraction.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: The Graded Strength Principle
12. Explain the process of anaerobic respiration in the muscle. What is the
oxygen debt, and how is it “repaid”?
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Catabolic Pathways
13. Name and describe the myofilament fibers in the sarcomere.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments
14. Explain the role of the skeletal muscles in heat production for the body.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Heat Production
15. Explain isometric muscle contractions and the two types of isotonic con-
tractions.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Isotonic and Isometric Contractions
16. Explain the similarities and differences between skeletal and cardiac
muscle cells. How do these differences reflect the functioning of the heart?
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Application
REF:
TOP: Cardiac Muscle
17. Describe the structure of smooth muscle. Differentiate between single-
unit and multiunit muscle tissue.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Memorization
REF:
TOP: Smooth Muscle
ESSAY
1. Susie Swift, an avid jogger, is running down the beach when she comes
upon Bobby Beachbum, a serious weight lifter. Bobby flirts with Susie, who
decides he has more muscle than brains. She continues her run down the
beach, and Bobby begins to run after her. After about a half mile, Bobby tires
and gives up. Explain why Susie was able to continue to run despite having
less muscle mass than Bobby has.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Effects of Exercise on Skeletal Muscles
2. Based on your knowledge of the structure and function of the muscle cells,
explain why you would expect to find multiple mitochondria and nuclei in
them under microscopic examination.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Myofilaments, Glucose, and Oxygen
3. Both the skin, or integument, system and the muscle system are impor-
tant in maintaining the body temperature. The skin function is homeostatic in
nature. Explain why the muscle function is not.
ANS: Answers will vary.
DIF: Synthesis
REF:
TOP: Heat Production
