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Which of the following ions binds to the troponin complex, initiating contraction of a muscle?

A. Potassium.

B. Calcium.

C. Phosphorus.

D. Sodium

Answer Explanation:

Calcium ions play a crucial role in initiating muscle contraction.

When a muscle cell is stimulated to contract by an action potential, calcium channels open in the sarcoplasmic membrane and release calcium into the sarcoplasm.

Some of this calcium attaches to troponin, which causes it to change shape.

This shape change exposes binding sites for myosin on the actin filaments.

Myosin’s binding to actin causes crossbridge formation, and contraction of the muscle begins.

 

The other ions mentioned in the question do not have this specific role in muscle contraction.

Potassium ions are important for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

Phosphorus ions are important for energy metabolism, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

Sodium ions are important for generating action potentials, but they do not bind to the troponin complex.

Therefore, the Correct Answer is B.

More Questions on TEAS 7 Science

  • Q #1: In a hypertonic solution, water flows through aquaporins embedded in the plasma membrane of the cell. This type of transport is best known as which of the following?

    A. Facilitated diffusion

    B. Active transport

    C. Osmosis

    D. Diffusion

    Answer Explanation

    Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

    In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is higher than inside the cell, so water flows out of the cell through aquaporins embedded in the plasma membrane to balance the concentration gradient.

     

    Choice A.

    Facilitated diffusion is not correct because it is a type of passive transport that involves the movement of molecules across a membrane through specific transport proteins, but it does not specifically refer to the movement of water molecules.

    Choice B.

    Active transport is not correct because it is a type of transport that involves the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient and requires energy in the form of ATP, but osmosis is a passive process that does not require energy.

    Choice D.

    Diffusion is not correct because it refers to the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, but it does not specifically refer to the movement of water molecules.

  • Q #2: Which of the following organic molecules contain both an amine and carboxyl group?

    A. Lipids

    B. Chitin

    C. Cellulose

    D. Proteins

    Answer Explanation

    Proteins.

    Proteins are made up of amino acids which are organic molecules that contain both an amine functional group (–NH2) and a carboxylic acid functional group (– COOH).

     
     

    Choice A, Lipids, is not the correct answer because lipids are a group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins, monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others.

    They do not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

    Choice B, Chitin, is not the correct answer because chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, a derivative of glucose.

    It does not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

    Choice C, Cellulose, is not the correct answer because cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (C6H10O5)n, a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units.

    It does not contain both an amine and carboxyl group.

  • Q #3: Which of the following is the number of protons in a lithium atom?

    A. 7

    B. 3

    C. 12

    D. 4

    Answer Explanation

    The atomic number of an element represents the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom of that element.

    Since lithium has an atomic number of 3, it has 3 protons in its nucleus.

     

    Choice A is not correct because 7 is the mass number of lithium, not the number of protons.

    Choice C is not correct because 12 is not the atomic number or mass number of lithium.

    Choice D is not correct because 4 is not the atomic number or mass number of lithium.