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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a difference between cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle?
A
Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle is not striated.
B
Unlike skeletal muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells do not rely on calcium ions for contraction.
C
Unlike skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle does not use a sliding filament mechanism for contraction.
D
Unlike skeletal muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells can be autorhythmic.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the basic structure and function of both cardiac and skeletal muscles. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood, while skeletal muscle is attached to bones and is responsible for voluntary movements.
Recognize that both cardiac and skeletal muscles are striated, meaning they have a banded appearance due to the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments. This eliminates the option stating cardiac muscle is not striated.
Understand the role of calcium ions in muscle contraction. Both cardiac and skeletal muscle cells rely on calcium ions to initiate contraction through the sliding filament mechanism, which involves actin and myosin filaments sliding past each other.
Identify the sliding filament mechanism as a common feature in both muscle types, where actin and myosin filaments slide to produce contraction. This eliminates the option stating cardiac muscle does not use this mechanism.
Learn about autorhythmicity, which is a unique feature of cardiac muscle cells. Unlike skeletal muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells can generate their own electrical impulses without external stimulation, allowing the heart to beat rhythmically on its own.