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Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue and Physiology
Amerman - Human Anatomy & Physiology 2nd Edition
Amerman2nd EditionHuman Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136873822Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 10, Problem 1d

Mark the following statements as true or false. If a statement is false, correct it to make a true statement.
Muscle cells are contractile, conductive, distensible cells.

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1
Step 1: Understand the key terms in the statement. 'Contractile' refers to the ability of muscle cells to shorten and generate force. 'Conductive' refers to the ability to transmit electrical signals. 'Distensible' refers to the ability to stretch or expand.
Step 2: Analyze the properties of muscle cells. Muscle cells are indeed contractile, as this is their primary function. They are also conductive, as they can transmit electrical signals to coordinate contraction. However, the term 'distensible' is not typically used to describe muscle cells. Instead, muscle cells are described as 'extensible,' meaning they can stretch without being damaged.
Step 3: Evaluate the accuracy of the statement. The statement is partially correct but contains an error in terminology. The term 'distensible' should be replaced with 'extensible' to accurately describe muscle cells.
Step 4: Correct the false part of the statement. The corrected statement should read: 'Muscle cells are contractile, conductive, and extensible cells.'
Step 5: Conclude by marking the original statement as false and providing the corrected version for clarity.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Muscle Cell Characteristics

Muscle cells, or myocytes, are specialized cells responsible for contraction and movement. They are primarily characterized by their ability to contract, which is essential for bodily movements. While they can conduct electrical impulses, the term 'distensible' is not typically used to describe muscle cells, as it refers more to the ability to stretch rather than contract.
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Contractility

Contractility refers to the ability of muscle cells to shorten and generate force. This property is fundamental to all types of muscle tissue, including skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. The contraction process is initiated by electrical signals that trigger the interaction of actin and myosin filaments within the muscle cells.
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Conductivity in Muscle Cells

Conductivity in muscle cells pertains to their ability to transmit electrical impulses, which is crucial for coordinated muscle contractions. This property is particularly important in cardiac muscle cells, where the conduction of impulses ensures synchronized heartbeats. However, while muscle cells can conduct signals, they are not primarily defined by this characteristic.
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