Asked by Garrett Spain on Jul 08, 2024
Verified
Why is the contraction strength of smooth muscle relatively independent of its resting length?
A) It gets nearly all of its Ca2+ from the extracellular fluid.
B) It does not have intercalated discs.
C) It does not have sarcomeres.
D) It is regulated by a length-tension relationship.
E) It is involuntary muscle.
Smooth Muscle
A type of muscle found in the walls of internal organs like the stomach and intestines, responsible for involuntary movements.
Resting Length
The length of a muscle when it is not actively contracted or stretched, influencing its ability to generate force.
Sarcomeres
The fundamental units of muscle contraction, composed of long, fibrous proteins that slide past each other when muscles contract and relax.
- Comprehend how smooth muscle contraction impacts physiological processes.
Verified Answer
MP
Mansi PatelJul 12, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Smooth muscle contraction strength is relatively independent of its resting length because it does not have sarcomeres, which are the structural units of striated muscle that give it the striated appearance and are responsible for the length-tension relationship observed in skeletal and cardiac muscles.
Learning Objectives
- Comprehend how smooth muscle contraction impacts physiological processes.