Answer :
Final answer:
The sliding filament theory explains muscle contraction and relaxation processes, involving calcium ions, myosin-actin interactions, and ATP. Low calcium levels can hinder muscle relaxation by affecting cross-bridge formation.
Explanation:
The sliding filament theory of muscle contraction involves specific steps:
- Activation: Calcium ions bind to troponin, causing tropomyosin to move and expose myosin binding sites on actin.
- Formation of cross-bridges: Myosin heads bind to actin, forming cross-bridges.
- Power stroke: Myosin heads pivot, sliding actin filaments past myosin filaments, shortening the sarcomere.
To get the muscle to relax: ATP binds to myosin heads, breaking cross-bridges, allowing the filaments to slide back to their original position.
If the athlete is low in calcium, the muscle may not relax as calcium ions are essential for muscle contraction initiation. Without sufficient calcium, the cross-bridge formation and subsequent sliding of filaments are hindered, impacting muscle relaxation.
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