In: Biology
1. Which of the following is true about muscle protein?
A. In a contracting muscle cell, troponin binds to calcium, and tropomyosin changes conformation and uncovers the myosin binding sites on actin
B. In a relaxed muscle cell, tropomyosin binds to calcium, and troponin covers the myosin binding sites on actin
C. In a contracting muscle cell, tropomyosin binds to calcium, and troponin changes conformation and uncovers the myosin binding sites on actin.
D. In a relaxed muscle cell, troponin binds to calcium, and tropomyosin covers the myosin binding sites on actin
2.
Which of the following represents the CORRECT order of events in the muscle cell when I decide that I want to wiggle my pinkie toe?
A. The influx of positive charge causes the opening of ligand-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane which causes the release of calcium from the T-tubules.
B. The influx of positive charge causes the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the T-tubule leading to the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
C. The influx of positive charge causes the opening of ligand-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the T-tubule leading to the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
D. The influx of positive charge causes the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane which causes the release of calcium from the T-tubules.
Ans 1: Correct option (A) In a contracting muscle cell, troponin binds to calcium, and tropomyosin changes conformation and uncovers the myosin-binding sites on actin
Explanation: Muscle sarcomere is made up of thick and thin filaments. Thick filaments are made up of myosin protein whereas thin filaments are made up of actin protein. Two regulatory proteins named troponin and tropomyosin are present on the actin filament.
High Ca++ ion concentration cause muscle contraction. The following are the sequences during the muscle contraction.
Incorrect options:
(B) In a relaxed muscle cell, tropomyosin binds to calcium, and troponin covers the myosin-binding sites on actin
Explanation: In relaxed muscle tropomyosin (not troponin) covers the myosin-binding site on actin and troponin, (not tropomyosin) binds to calcium ion.
(C) In a contracting muscle cell, tropomyosin binds to calcium, and troponin changes conformation and uncovers the myosin-binding sites on actin.
Explanation: In contracting muscle cell troponin (not tropomyosin) binds to calcium, and tropomyosin (not troponin) changes conformation to expose the myosin binding site.
(D) In a relaxed muscle cell, troponin binds to calcium, and tropomyosin covers the myosin-binding sites on actin
Explanation: In a relaxed muscle calcium does not bind with troponin but myosin-binding sites on the actin filament are covered by tropomyosin.
Ans 2: Correct option(B) The influx of positive charge causes the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the T-tubule leading to the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
Explanation: At the neuromuscular junction, the axon terminal of the neuron is very close to the muscle cell. The synaptic cleft is present between the muscle fiber and the axon terminal.
After receiving the nerve impulse at the axon terminal it causes the release of the neurotransmitters that is acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft.
These neurotransmitters then bind to the receptors that are present on the muscle fiber. This will cause the opening of the sodium ion channel. More sodium ions enter the muscle cell and comparatively fewer potassium ions are released. Thus the potential difference is maintained across the membrane. This will cause the opening of the voltage-gated sodium ion channel.
The action potential is generated that will travel down the T-tubule and cause the release of the calcium ions that are stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Incorrect options: (A) The influx of positive charge causes the opening of ligand-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane which causes the release of calcium from the T-tubules.
Explanation: The channels that open due to the influx of positive charge are voltage-gated and not ligand-gated.
The action potential travels down the T-tubule and calcium ions are released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
(C) The influx of positive charge causes the opening of ligand-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the T-tubule leading to the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum
Explanation: The channel is voltage-gated, not ligand-gated.
(D) The influx of positive charge causes the opening of voltage-gated sodium channels causing an action potential that propagates down the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane which causes the release of calcium from the T-tubules.
Explanation: The action potential travels down the T-tubule (not through the sarcoplasmic reticulum) and causes the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (not from T-tubules).