I keep getting “Sliding filament theory” questions wrong in Locomotion & Movement. What's the trap?
thinking the filaments themselves shrink.
The usual trap: thinking the filaments themselves shrink. How to avoid it: the filaments don't shorten — they slide past each other. Go back to the definition — muscles contract when thin actin filaments slide over thick myosin filaments, shortening the muscle — powered by ATP and triggered by calcium.
Key point
Sliding filament theory
Common mistake
thinking the filaments themselves shrink.
Memory tip
the filaments don't shorten — they slide past each other.
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