Question

during muscle contraction, the sarcomeres shorten because _______. thick and thin filament slide past one another, increasing their overlap thick and thin filament slide past one another, decreasing their overlap myosin filaments shorten and in the process pull the actin filaments towards the center of a sarcomere need help? review these concept resources. rate your confidence to submit your answer. high medium low reading © 2025 mcgraw hill. all rights reserved. privacy center terms of use

Explanation:

The sliding - filament theory states that during muscle contraction, thick (myosin) and thin (actin) filaments slide past one another, increasing their overlap, causing the sarcomeres to shorten. Myosin filaments do not shorten; instead, they use ATP to form cross - bridges with actin filaments and pull them towards the center of the sarcomere.

Answer:

thick and thin filament slide past one another, increasing their overlap