AP Biology : Understanding Muscle Cells

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Understanding Muscle Cells

Which of the following is responsible for the red appearance of some muscles?

Possible Answers:

They are anaerobic

They contain large quantities of myoglobin

They are fast twitch—fast contraction—muscles

They have few mitochondria

Correct answer:

They contain large quantities of myoglobin

Explanation:

Muscle tissue can be divided into red—fast twitch—and white—slow twitch—muscle types. Red muscles have many capillaries, mitochondria, and myoglobin. Red muscles also perform aerobic activity.

Example Question #42 : Understanding Muscle Cells

Which of the following best defines “myofibrils”?

Possible Answers:

Basic muscle cells

The area between Z lines

Specialized units in skeletal muscle tissue

Chains of myocytes

Correct answer:

Chains of myocytes

Explanation:

Myofibrils are the basic units of all muscle tissue that are composed of chains of myocytes. Myocytes contain thin and thick filaments of proteins that organize into sarcomeres.

Example Question #71 : Types Of Cells And Tissues

When muscle contraction occurs, calcium ions bond to which of the following structures?

Possible Answers:

Myosin

Troponin

Sarcoplasmic reticulum

Actin

Tropomyosin

Correct answer:

Troponin

Explanation:

The calcium ions bind to troponin, which causes the release of the tropomyosin from actin as a result of the troponin-tropomyosin complex detaching. This makes the binding site on actin available for myosin to attach to. The sarcoplasmic reticulum stores calcium for its quick release to facilitate muscle contraction.

Example Question #72 : Types Of Cells And Tissues

During his summer break, John decided to go workout at his local gym. During his training, he began to experience muscle pain in the area of the pectoralis major muscle. Which of the following best describes the muscle fibers of the pectoralis major muscle?

Possible Answers:

Smooth muscle fibers

Cardiac muscle fibers

Red muscle fibers

White muscle fibers

Brown muscle fibers

Correct answer:

White muscle fibers

Explanation:

Skeletal muscle fibers come in 3 types: red (type I), intermediate/pink (type IIA), and white (type IIB). Red muscle fibers produce slow movement and do not fatigue quickly; these muscles mainly utilize oxidative phosphorylation as an energy source. White muscle fibers work the fastest, but also fatigue much more rapidly; these muscles mainly utilize glycolysis as a source of energy. Intermediate muscle fibers consist of both red and white muscle fibers. All muscles contain some degree of intermediate muscle fibers, however the pectoralis major muscle is an example of a muscle group primarily composed of white muscle fibers. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart only, and smooth muscle is involuntary.

Example Question #73 : Types Of Cells And Tissues

While playing intense basketball you feel some cramps in your muscles, what is likely the cause of these cramps?

Possible Answers:

Alcohol fementation

Chemiosmotic coupling

An abundance of oxygen delivery to the muscles

Lactic acid fermentation

Oxidative phosphorylation

Correct answer:

Lactic acid fermentation

Explanation:

The correct answer to this question is lactic acid fermentation.

Lactic acid fermentation occurs in human muscle cells when oxygen is not available. Alcohol fermentation only occurs in yeast, fungi, and some bacteria. The other answers are unrelated to cramps and instead just are other concepts of respiration.

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