Compare and contrast a single, weak contraction of a muscle fiber, a twitch summation, and tetanus

What will be an ideal response?


A single action potential will usually cause a single, weak contraction of a muscle fiber called a
muscle twitch. The membrane potential will rise and fall quickly (30- 40 msec). A twitch summation
occurs when a muscle fiber is restimulated before it has relaxed completely, and results in a stronger
contraction. Tetanus occurs when stimuli arrive so quickly that the Ca2+ channels remain open and
there is a continuous contraction.

Biology & Microbiology

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