Which of the following describes the effect of end-diastolic volume on stroke volume?
a) An increase in end-diastolic volume stretches ventricular muscle cells to lengths closer to optimum, increasing the strength of contraction and thereby increasing stroke volume.
b) A decrease in end-diastolic volume allows cardiac muscle to relax, conserving energy for the next contraction, thereby increasing stroke volume of that next contraction.
c) A decrease in end-diastolic volume creates a vacuum drawing more blood into the ventricle increasing stroke volume.
d) A decrease in end-diastolic volume allows ventricular muscle cells to relax more during diastole, allowing more blood to return to the heart increasing stroke volume.
e) An increase in end-diastolic volume stretches ventricular muscle cells to lengths greater than optimum, decreasing the strength of contraction and thereby decreasing stroke volume.