When an organism dies, its muscles remain in a contracted state termed "rigor mortis" for a brief period of time. Which of the following most directly contributes to this phenomenon? There is no

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rigor mortis is caused by a lack of ATP, which normally allows the cross-bridges between the thick and thin filaments to detach. Without ATP, the bonds between the filaments cannot be broken and the muscles remain contracted. Calcium and oxygen are not directly involved in rigor mortis, and while glycogen may contribute to muscle metabolism, it is not directly related to the phenomena of rigor mortis.

When an Organism Dies, Its Muscles Remain in a Contracted