Within a single fiber, the tension developed during a twitch depends upon the
A) amplitude of the action potential.
B) length of the sarcomeres prior to contraction.
C) length of the thick filament.
D) duration of the stimulus.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The tension developed during a twitch in a single fiber depends on the length of the sarcomeres prior to contraction. The optimal length for tension development is when there is maximum overlap between the thick and thin filaments in the sarcomeres. If the sarcomeres are stretched when the action potential arrives, the tension produced will be weaker. If they are shortened, the tension will be limited by the thin filaments stretching to their full length.

Within a Single Fiber, the Tension Developed During a Twitch