Final answer:
When the sliding filament mechanism involving actin and myosin occurs, the cell contracts and moves as the sarcomeres within the muscle cells shorten.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sliding filament mechanism involves actin and myosin filaments sliding past each other during muscle contraction. When the sliding occurs, it generates tension on the intermediate filaments, which pull on dense bodies within the muscle cells.
As the actin and myosin filaments slide, they cause the sarcomeres to shorten, leading to the contraction of the muscle cell and, consequently, the muscle itself. This process is essential for various types of cell motility, including the contraction of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissues.
Given the scenario described, the action that the cell takes when the sliding filament mechanism occurs is: 3) Contracts and moves. This is because the main function of the interaction between actin and myosin in muscle cells is to facilitate muscle contraction, which allows for movement.