Question

Which of the following describes the relationship between length and tension?

A. As the muscles resting length increases, the active force will decrease.
B. The active force can increase or decrease, depending on the starting testing length of the muscle
C. As the muscles resting length increases, the active force will increase
D. as the muscles resting length decreases, the active force will decrease.

Answer 1

The correct description of the relationship between length and tension is that as the muscle's resting length increases, the active force will increase up to an optimal point, after which it will decrease.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between muscle length and tension can be explained by the length-tension relationship, which describes how the overlap of myosin and actin filaments within a sarcomere influences the force that a muscle fiber can produce. If the muscle fiber is at an optimal length, there is a maximal overlap of myosin and actin, leading to the formation of more cross-bridges, and thus, greater tension.

The correct option is C: As the muscle's resting length increases, the active force will increase up to an optimal point. If the sarcomeres are stretched beyond their optimal length, fewer cross-bridges can form which leads to a reduction in tension.