2015 AIPMT-I Locomotion and MovementMuscle contraction Easy Question 1 of 2 in Muscle contraction

Sliding filament theory can be best explained as

A When myofilaments slide past each other, actin filaments shorten, while myosin filaments do not shorten
B Actin and myosin filaments shorten and slide past each other
C Actin and myosin filaments do not shorten but rather slide past each other
D When myofilaments slide past each other, myosin filaments shorten, while actin filaments do not shorten

The answer is C.

Solution

During muscle contraction the actin filaments slide over the myosin filaments; neither filament shortens.

Concept Sliding filament theory

Muscle contraction in past papers

2 questions from this chapter have appeared across 2 exam years.