According to the length-tension relationship, at what range of a sarcomere's resting length is maximal contractile tension produced?
A120 to 150 percent
B80 to 120 percent
C50 to 80 percent
D100 to 130 percent
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. 80 to 120 percent
1. The length-tension relationship links how much thick and thin filaments overlap to how much force a sarcomere can generate.
2. Maximal tension occurs when the sarcomere length is between 80 percent and 120 percent of its resting length.
3. Outside this range, either the overlap of actin-binding sites and myosin heads is reduced (when stretched) or the zone of overlap is crowded and reduced (when overly shortened).
4. A range of 50 to 80 percent would place the sarcomere well below the ideal window described.
5. A range of 100 to 130 percent overlaps only partly with the true 80 to 120 percent window.
6. A range of 120 to 150 percent sits mostly above the ideal window, where filament overlap is already reduced.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 10 "Muscle Tissue", section 10.4, p. 423_
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