Wave Summation, Tetanus, Recruitment Understanding

Question 1

What is wave summation?

Answer 1

Wave summation is the process by which successive stimuli are added together to produce a stronger muscle contraction.

Question 2

True or False: Wave summation occurs when a second stimulus is applied before the muscle has completely relaxed.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What is the term for the maximum tension produced by a muscle during wave summation?

Answer 3

Tetanus

Question 4

Fill in the blank: The type of contraction that results from wave summation when stimulation frequency is high enough is called ________.

Answer 4

Tetanus

Question 5

What does tetanus refer to in muscle physiology?

Answer 5

Tetanus refers to a sustained muscle contraction resulting from rapid, repeated stimuli.

Question 6

Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes recruitment?

Answer 6

Recruitment is the process of activating additional motor units to increase muscle contraction strength.

Question 7

True or False: Recruitment only occurs when the muscle is fully relaxed.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

What is the primary function of recruitment in muscle contractions?

Answer 8

To increase the force of contraction by activating more motor units.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: The phenomenon where stronger stimuli activate more motor units is known as ________.

Answer 9

Recruitment

Question 10

What is the relationship between stimulus strength and recruitment?

Answer 10

As stimulus strength increases, more motor units are recruited for stronger contractions.

Question 11

Multiple Choice: Which of the following factors affects the recruitment of motor units?

Answer 11

The strength of the stimulus applied.

Question 12

True or False: All motor units are recruited at the same time regardless of the strength of the stimulus.

Answer 12

False

Question 13

What happens to muscle tension during wave summation?

Answer 13

Muscle tension increases with each successive stimulus until a maximum level is reached.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: A single muscle fiber can contract in response to a single ________.

Answer 14

Action potential

Question 15

What is the effect of high-frequency stimulation on muscle contraction?

Answer 15

High-frequency stimulation results in a stronger, sustained contraction known as tetanus.

Question 16

Multiple Choice: Which of the following is NOT a factor influencing wave summation?

Answer 16

The length of the muscle fibers.

Question 17

True or False: Tetanus can be achieved through both temporal and spatial summation.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What role does calcium play in wave summation and tetanus?

Answer 18

Calcium ions are released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and bind to troponin, enabling muscle contraction.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The muscle’s ability to sustain contraction is primarily due to the availability of ________.

Answer 19

Calcium ions

Question 20

What is the significance of the size principle in recruitment?

Answer 20

The size principle states that smaller motor units are recruited before larger ones during a contraction.

Question 21

Multiple Choice: Which type of muscle fiber is typically recruited first during a contraction?

Answer 21

Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fibers.

Question 22

True or False: Muscle fatigue can affect the ability to achieve tetanus.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

What is the maximum frequency of stimulation before tetanus occurs?

Answer 23

The maximum frequency varies, but it is typically around 20-100 Hz depending on the muscle type.