Histology Testbank: Muscle 6a

Instructions: For each histology question, pick the one best answer. This histology test bank is also useful for the histology questions on the USMLE (USMLE step 1).

1.
Which fiber type is seen in smooth muscle?
a. Red fibers
b. White fibers
c. Intermediate fibers
d. All of the above
e. None of the above

Answer: e

Skeletal muscle fibers can be classified as red fibers, white fibers or intermediate fibers. Red fibers are smaller in diameter; white fibers are larger in diameter. Red fibers have more mitochondria than white fibers. Red fibers make up slow-twitch muscle; white fibers make up fast-twitch muscle. Red fibers are more resistant to fatigue than are white fibers. Red fibers have more myoglobin (oxygen binding pigment) than white fibers. White fibers store glycogen and use anaerobic metabolism.

Red fiber and slow twitch muscle is for endurance.

White fiber and fast twitch muscle is for a burst of power.

2.
A sarcomere is defined as the segment from _____ to ____?
a. A band
b. I band
c. Z line
d. H band
e. M line

Answer: c

The A band is the darker staining band. The I band is the light band. The I band is made of thin filaments. The Z line runs through the I band. The H band bisects the A band. The M line runs through the H band.

A sarcomere is the segment that runs from Z line to Z line.

3.
What are the bundle of longitudinal contractile elements within a muscle cell called?
a. Myofilaments
b. Myosin
c. Muscle fibers
d. Myofibrils
e. Myocardium

Answer: d

Myofilaments are the contractile protein within a muscle cell. The myofilaments are actin and myosin. The thin filaments are actin and the thick filaments are myosin. The muscle cell is a muscle fiber. The term "muscle cell" and "muscle fiber" are synonymous. A myofibril is a longitudinal bundle of myofilaments within a muscle cell. Myocardium is the muscular layer of the heart. Thus, the myocardium is composed of cardiac muscle.