Question

The term that means a continued mild or partial contraction of a muscle that keeps it healthy and ready to respond is muscle __________.The term that means a continued mild or partial contraction of a muscle that keeps it healthy and ready to respond is muscle __________.

Answer 1

The term for a mild, continuous contraction that keeps muscles primed for action is "muscle tone," which maintains health, stability, and posture.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term that refers to a continued mild or partial contraction of a muscle that keeps it healthy and ready to respond is muscle tone. This low-level contraction is not strong enough to produce movement, but it is crucial in maintaining muscle health and readiness for action. Muscle tone is generated through the slight tension in the muscle fibers, even when the muscle is not actively contracting to produce movement. This tension is important for maintaining posture and stabilizing joints. The proteins actin and myosin in the muscle fibers work together, even at rest, to maintain this state of readiness.

Answer 2

Muscle tone.

Step-by-step explanation:

Muscle tone is the resting state, or the state of slight contraction, of the muscles that assists in body posture for each movement. If it is in a state of complete relaxation, the muscle takes longer to start contracting and to begin movement. In addition, tone decreases during sleep due to relaxation, but develops again upon awakening. Muscle tone represents the term meaning a continuous slight or partial contraction of a muscle that keeps it healthy and ready to respond.

Thus, it is triggered by nerve stimuli, being an unconscious process that keeps the muscles alert to take action. Without muscle tone our muscles would be at full rest (hypotonus), a condition that hinders their immediate movement. On the other hand, hypertonia consists of an abnormal increase in muscle tone.