ans 3.

M1. (a) (i) Myosin filaments drawn longitudinally in A-band region; Actin filaments drawn
longitudinally from Z-line to edge of H-zone; [Max. 1 mark if Actin and Myosin are not correctly
labelled]

(ii) Electron microscope has greater resolution / able to tell two close objects apart better /
electrons have shorter wavelength/ higher frequency;

(b) Correct answer = 20;

Allow 1 mark for: ; OR

40 ÷

[5]

4. (a) (i) actin (Accept tropomyosin);

(ii) myosin head;

(b) (i) Ca2+ binds to [part of] the actin / troponin; this causes tropomyosin to be displaced;
uncovers [myosin] binding sites [on actin] / allows actin to bind;

max 2

(ii) myosin heads bind to actin / cross bridge formation / actomyosin formed; myosin heads /
crossbridges swivel / ratchet mechanism; causing actin to slide relative to myosin; energy provided
by hydrolysis of ATP;

max 3

Page 23 of 38

(c) (i) (number lightly stained fibres / total number of fibres) × 100; (actual numbers are 10/18 ×
100)

(ii) sample not representative / large enough; individual muscle fibres different sizes / contain
different number of myofibrils;
max 1

(d) all some stain = 1 fast dark and slow lighter = 2

(e) change in base sequence in DNA; addition / deletion / substitution of a base in DNA of the gene
which codes for myosin; change in amino acid sequence / primary structure; causes a different
tertiary structure; which alters the binding properties of myosin;

max 4

[15]

(Refer to exam q) Figure 1 shows a diagram of part of a muscle

myofibril. Name the protein present in the filaments labelled W and
X. (1)

W: myosin
X: actin

Figure 2 shows the cut ends of the protein filaments when the
myofibril was cut at position Y. Figure 3 shows the protein filaments
when the myofibril was cut at the same distance from a Z line at a
different stage of contraction.
Explain why the pattern of protein filaments differs in Figure 2 and
Figure 3. (2)

myofibril is contracting in Figure 3 and relaxing in Figure 2;

figure 3 shows movement of actin fibres between myosin fibres

Describe the role of calcium ions in the contraction of a sarcomere.

(4)

they interact with the tropomyosin molecule;

to reveal binding sites on actin;
allowing myosin heads to bind to exposed sites on actin filament;
energy released from ATP moves myosin head back to its original position
Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter at neuromuscular junctions.
Describe how the release of acetylcholine into a neuromuscular
junction causes the cell membrane of a muscle fibre to depolarise.
(3)

movement of acetylcholine by diffusion;

binding to receptors on post-synaptic membrane;
causing sodium channels to open

Use your knowledge of the processes occurring at a neuromuscular

junction to explain each of the following.
(i) The cobra is a very poisonous snake. The molecular structure of
cobra toxin is similar to the molecular structure of acetylcholine.
The toxin permanently
prevents muscle contraction. (2)

(ii) The insecticide DFP combines with the active site of the enzyme
acetylcholinesterase. The muscles stay contracted until the
insecticide is lost from the neuromuscular junction. (2)

(i) toxin binds to the acetylcholine receptors;

acetylcholine can not depolarise the membrane

(ii) acetylcholinesterase is unable to breakdown acetylcholine;

acetylcholine still available to depolarise the membrane

(Refer to exam q) The diagram shows the stages in one cycle that
results in movement of an actin filament in a
muscle sarcomere. Describe how stimulation of a muscle by a nerve
impulse starts the cycle shown in the
diagram. (3)

calcium ions interact with the tropomyosin molecule;

to reveal binding sites on actin;
allowing myosin heads to bind to exposed sites on actin filament
Each cycle requires hydrolysis of one molecule of ATP and moves
one actin filament 40nm. During contraction of a muscle sarcomere,
a single actin filament moves 0.6μm. Calculate how many molecules
of ATP are required to produce this movement. (2)

distance single actin filament moves divided by distance moved

using 1 ATP;
15 ATP

After death, cross bridges between actin and myosin remain firmly
bound resulting in rigor mortis. Using information in the diagram,
explain what causes the cross bridges to remain firmly bound. (2)

no ATP produced;
ATP required for separation of actin and myosin

(Refer to exam q) The diagram shows the banding pattern observed

in part of a relaxed muscle fibril. Describe what causes the different
bands seen in the muscle fibril. (2)

Darker band has both types of filament;

Light band has only actin filaments

Describe how the banding pattern will be different when the muscle
fibril is contracted. (2)

H zone narrows;
Light band narrows

There is an increase in the activity of the enzyme ATPase during

muscle contraction. An investigation into muscle contraction
involved measuring the activity of ATPase in solutions containing
ATP, myosin and different muscle components. The table shows
the results. (Refer to exam q) Explain the importance of ATPase
during muscle contraction. (2)

Breaks down ATP, yielding energy;

Used to break actomyosin bridges

Using your knowledge of muscle contraction, explain the difference

in the results between A and B. (2)

tropomyosin covers binding site on actin;

no cross bridges formed so ATPase activity on myosin head reduced

Using your knowledge of muscle contraction, explain the difference

in the results between B and C. (2)

calcium ions remove tropomyosin;

to allow binding of myosin heads and actin, increasing ATPase activity

What are the two types of muscle that are used involuntary? (2)

Cardiac muscle;
Smooth muscle

What is the type of muscle that is used consciously? (1)

Skeletal muscle

Why does the structure of muscle allow it to perform its function of

contraction efficiently? (1)

Separate muscle cells are fused into muscle fibres;

so there are no points of weakness

Describe the two types of protein filaments. (2)

Actin - thinner and consists of two strands twisted around one another
Myosin - thicker and consists of long rod-shaped fibres with bulbous heads

Myofibrils appear striped due to their alternating light-coloured and

dark-coloured bands.
(i) What makes up the light coloured bands?
(ii) What makes up the dark coloured bands? (2)

(i) Isotropic bands - actin and myosin filaments do not overlap

(ii) Anisotropic bands - actin and myosin filaments overlap

(i) What is at the centre of each anisotropic band?

(ii) What is at the centre of each isotropic band? (2)

(i) H-zone
(ii) Z-line

What is a sarcomere? (1)

The distance between adjacent Z-lines

How do slow-twitch fibres differ from fast-twitch fibres in the way

they function? (6)

Slow-twitch fibres:
Contract more slowly;
Provide less powerful contractions;
Over a longer period;

Fast-twitch fibres:
Contract more rapidly;
Produce powerful contractions;
For a short period

How are slow-twitch fibres adapted for their function? (4)

Large store of myoglobin to store large amounts of oxygen;
Rich supply of blood vessels to deliver oxygen and glucose;
Numerous mitochondria to produce ATP;
So adapted for aerobic respiration to avoid a build-up of lactic acid

How are fast-twitch fibres adapted for their function? (4)

Thicker and more numerous myosin filaments;

High concentration of enzymes involved in anaerobic respiration;
Store of phosphocreatine, which generates ATP from ADP in anaerobic conditions;
So adapted for anaerobic respiration due to a build-up of lactic acid and more intense exercise

What is a neuromuscular junction? (1)

Where a motor neurone meets a skeletal muscle fibre

Suggest a reason why there are numerous mitochondria in the

sarcoplasm. (3)

Muscles require much energy from ATP for contractions;

This energy from ATP is released during the Krebs cycle and ETC in respiration;
Both of these processes take place in the mitochondria

If we cut across a myofibril at certain points, we see only thick

myosin filaments.
Cut at a different point we see only thin actin filaments.
At yet other points we see both types of filament. Explain why (2)

Actin and myosin filaments lie side by side in a myofibril;

and overlap at the edges where they meet

How is an action potential created across a neuromuscular junction?

(6)

Nerve impulse received at neuromuscular junction;

Synaptic vesicles fuse with presynaptic membrane;
Release acetylcholine which diffuses to receptors on postsynaptic membrane;
Alters its permeability to sodium ions;
Sodium ions diffuse in and cause depolarisation;
Acetylcholine broken down by acetylcholinesterase

What changes occur to a sarcomere when a muscle contracts? (3)

I-band becomes narrower;

Z-lines move closer together (sarcomere shortens);
H-zone becomes narrower

Outline how a muscle contracts. (6)

Tropomyosin molecule prevents myosin head from attaching to the binding site on the actin molecule;
Calcium ions released from the endoplasmic reticulum cause the tropomyosin molecule to pull away away
from the binding sites on the actin molecule;
Myosin head now attaches to the binding site on the actin molecule;
Head of myosin changes angle, moving the actin filament along. ADP molecule is released;
ATP molecule fixes to the myosin head, causing it to detach from binding site;
Hydrolysis of ATP to ADP by ATPase provides the energy for the myosin head to resume its normal position.
This process is repeated further along the actin filaments

What evidence is there that muscle contraction is caused by actin

and myosin filaments sliding past one another? (1)

Changes seen in the band patterns on myofibrils

Outline how a muscle relaxes. (3)

Nervous stimulation ceases;

Calcium ions actively transported back into endoplasmic reticulum using energy from the hydrolysis of ATP;
Absense of calcium ions allows tropomyosin to block binding sites on actin filaments again

Why is energy needed for muscle contraction? (2)

Movement of myosin heads;

Reabsorption of calcium ions into endoplasmic reticulum by active transport
How is the shape of the myosin molecule adapted to its role in
muscle contraction? (4)

Fibrous protein long and thin;

provides surface area for which actin can move along;
Globular proteins form bulbous structures;
Allows it to exactly fit the binding sites of the actin filament

Trained sprinters have high levels of phosphocreatine in the

muscles. Explain the advantage of this. (4)

Phosphocreatine stores phosphate;

Used to generate ATP from ADP in anaerobic conditions;
Sprinter's muscles often work strenuously and so oxygen supply is short;
Phosphocreatine allows for production of ATP to continue when anaerobic respiration is not possible

Dead cells can no longer produce ATP. Soon after death, muscles
contract, making the body stiff.
From your knowledge of muscle contraction, explain why this
happens. (3)

ATP attaches to myosin heads and detaches them from binding sites on the actin filament, making muscle
relax;
As no ATP is produced after death, none attaches to myosin heads;
Remain attached to actin, leaving the muscle in a contracted state

Cross-channel swimmers may suffer from muscle fatigue during

which the contraction mechanism is disrupted. One factor thought
to contribute to muscle fatigue is a
decrease in the availability of calcium ions within muscle fibres.
Explain how a decrease in the availability of calcium ions could
disrupt the contraction mechanism in
muscles. (3)

cannot move tropomyosin;

from binding sites on actin;
myosin heads do not bind
Skeletal muscle is made of bundles of fibres.
Describe the role of ATP and phosphocreatine in producing
contraction of a muscle fibre. (3)

ATP allows myosin to detach from actin;

Phosphocreatine allows regeneration of ATP under anaerobic conditions;
Phosphocreatine releases Pi to join ADP

(Refer to exam q) The table shows some properties of slow and fast
muscle fibres.
Endurance athletes, such as marathon runners, nearly always have a
high proportion of slow muscle fibres in their muscles. Explain the
benefit of this. (6)

Endurance athletes exercise for long periods of time;

Respire aerobically;
Slow fibres adapted to aerobic respiration;
As they have many mitochondria;
Which is the site of Kreb's cycle;
Producing large amount of ATP

Describe the part played by each of the following in myofibril

contraction.
(i) Tropomyosin
(ii) Myosin (4)

(i) Moves out of the way when calcium ions bind;

Allowing myosin to bind to actin;

(ii) Head of myosin binds to actin and pulls actin past;

Myosin detaches from actin and moves further along actin

(Refer to June 2013 paper) The table shows features of fast and slow
muscle fibres.

Use information from the table to suggest and explain one

advantage of:
(i) the high glycogen content of fast muscle fibres
(ii) the number of capillaries supplying slow muscle fibres (many).

(i) Glycogen broken down gives lots of glucose for anaerobic respiration;
Anaerobic respiration is not very efficient;
(ii) Many capillaries give large surface area for oxygen diffusion;
Allows high rate of aerobic respiration

People who have McArdle's disease produce less ATP than healthy
people. As a result, they are not able to maintain strong muscle
contraction during exercise. Use
your knowledge of the sliding filament theory to suggest why. (3)

ATP is needed for attachment between actin and myosin;

And the movement of myosin heads, which pulls actin along;
Myosin heads need to move back to original position