Haru S.

asked • 11/27/22

Please explain why this is the answer

Q. What is required for a skeletal muscle to exert force?

Options:

A. Extensor and flexor muscles

B. Synovial joints

C. Attachment to bones

D. Ligaments


(Answer is C)


Please explain why the answer is C!

Jacob H.

Hi Haru! Lets break down anatomy and consider how form equals function. Why are muscles attached to bone? Because it serves as structural support and as points of attachment for which the muscle can move bone. The tensile force generated by the muscle fibers is transmitted to its tendon, which is attached to bone, resulting in movement of the bone. So take the biceps muscle: As you curl a dumbbell, the biceps fibers contracts, this force is transmitted proximally to its tendon origin, resulting in flexion of the arm. Now, lets break down the other answer options: A is not quite right; although extensor and flexor muscles do exert force on their bony attachments, the wording of this option makes it incorrect, as flexor muscles are not required for its counterpart, extensor muscles to exert force (i.e the biceps dont need the triceps to flex the arm) and vice versa. B is not right because the function of the synovial joint is to provide cushion between bones and synovial joints dont exert forces, forces act upon it. D is not right because ligaments have nothing to do with skeletal muscles; ligaments attach bone to bone (e.g. ATFL ligament in the ankle attaches the distal fibula to a bone in the proximal foot called the talus). I hope this helps! Feel free to contact me with further clarification
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11/29/22

1 Expert Answer

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Nahashon N. answered • 11/30/22

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To produce the forces required for daily demands and competitive sports, the skeletal muscles initially require formations of cross-bridge formations between the sarcomeric proteins actin and myosin.

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Michelle K.

This is true and explains how muscles exert their force independently. I think this question is going a step further to ask how skeletal muscles work with the answer being C. The attachment to bones allows a force that provides movement so that when the sarcomere shortens during contraction, the bone stabilizes the muscle and the contraction provides movement of the limb. Without attachment to a bone, the muscle would be independently contracting and not providing skeletal movement, much like the heart. It is the attachment to muscle that provides the ability of skeletal muscle to create force to move the body.
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11/30/22

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