Final answer:
The sliding filament model of contraction involves actin and myosin sliding past each other and partially overlapping. When a muscle fiber is stimulated, the myosin heads bind to actin, forming cross-bridges. The cross-bridges generate filament movement, causing the thin filaments to slide over the thick filaments and resulting in muscle contraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sliding filament model of contraction involves actin and myosin sliding past each other and partially overlapping. When a muscle fiber is stimulated, the myosin heads bind to actin, forming cross-bridges. The cross-bridges generate filament movement, causing the thin filaments to slide over the thick filaments and resulting in muscle contraction.