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olamaximal contraction? ree eurrent was 3. Why does varying the stimulus strengt

ID: 3524574 • Letter: O

Question

olamaximal contraction? ree eurrent was 3. Why does varying the stimulus strength affect the twitch force? 4. What are the two ways by which the nervous system can control the force generated by a muscle? 5. of muscle fibers is low, so that each During weak contractions, the firing frequency fiber produces distinct twitches. The force produced by the whole muscle, however, is relatively smooth. How do you think this occurs? 6. Based on your knowledge of muscle physiology and the nature of motor units, how would the structure of muscles in your thigh differ from muscles controlling the movements of your eyeball (the extraocular muscles)?

Explanation / Answer

3. When an area is affected then any kind of excitation of fibers increases the pain and a twitch force is produced. If we increase the strength of the stimulus then more number of muscle fibers start contracting. This contraction leads to different variation in twitch force and thus different twitch forces are observed for different stimulus.

4. The two ways by which the nervous system can control the force generated by a muscle are:

(a) By altering the recruitment of different motor units.

(b) By altering the frequency of stimulation of action potentials.

5. During weak contractions, the firing frequency of muscle fibers is low, so that each fiber produces distinct twitches. Now, the whole muscle contains different small twitches and the average of the small twitches result in smooth contraction if the small twitches are asynchronous. Also, the motor units fire at different times to provide smooth contractions.

6. Difference between the structure of muscles in our thighs and muscles controlling the movements of the eyeball are:

(a) Muscle fibers in our thighs are more in number compared to the muscles controlling the movement of the eyeballs.

(b) Muscle fibers in our thighs are much stronger than muscles controlling the movement of the eyeball.

(c) Muscle fibers in our thighs have decreased control but muscles controlling the movement of the eyeball have increased control.

6.