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nmdcat.online July 28, 2026

Compared with skeletal muscle, the contraction of smooth muscle is:

A. Faster and less energy-efficient
B. Faster and highly susceptible to fatigue
C. Slower, more sustained, and highly energy-efficient
✓
D. Slower but requires significantly more ATP per cross-bridge cycle

📝 Explanation

Smooth muscle contractions are characterized by being slow, prolonged, and highly energy-efficient. The smooth muscle "latch state" allows it to maintain high tension with very low ATP consumption, preventing fatigue over long periods (e.g., maintaining vascular tone).

📖 Additional Information

  • Faster and less energy-efficient
  • Faster and highly susceptible to fatigue
  • Slower, more sustained, and highly energy-efficient
  • Slower but requires significantly more ATP per cross-bridge cycle

Smooth muscle contractions are characterized by being slow, prolonged, and highly energy-efficient. The smooth muscle "latch state" allows it to maintain high tension with very low ATP consumption, preventing fatigue over long periods (e.g., maintaining vascular tone).

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