The mechanical force generated by a contracting muscle is called influenced by the number of muscle fibers in_____.
A) a motor unit
B) muscle tension
C) a motor neuron
D) the energizing of myosin molecules
E) the action potential

Question

The mechanical force generated by a contracting muscle is called influenced by the number of muscle fibers in_____.  
A) a motor unit
B) muscle tension
C) a motor neuron
D) the energizing of myosin molecules
E) the action potential

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The mechanical force generated by a contracting muscle is influenced by the number of muscle fibers in a motor unit. A motor unit is composed of a single motor neuron and all the muscle fibers it innervates. The larger the number of muscle fibers in a motor unit, the greater the force that can be generated by that unit. Therefore, the force generated by a muscle contraction depends on the number and size of the motor units that are activated. Muscle tension refers to the force exerted by a contracting muscle, but it is not directly related to the number of muscle fibers in a motor unit. Similarly, the energizing of myosin molecules and the action potential are important processes in muscle contraction, but they do not directly influence the number of muscle fibers in a motor unit.

The Mechanical Force Generated by a Contracting Muscle Is Called