Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073403717
ISBN 13: 978-0-07340-371-7

Chapter 11 - Section 11.1 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 432: 4

Answer

Collagen fibers and elastic fibers are intimately associated with myofibers and muscles. While elastic fibers are facilitite stretching and recoil, collagen fibers possess neither contactility nor excitability ptpoerties of myocytes. Therefore when a muscle lengthens , as when a joint extends). The collagen fibers precent the muscle from overstretching and becoming damaged.

Work Step by Step

When a muscle recoils after stretching, the elastic property of collagen helps return the muscle to its resting form, but keeps it from becoming too flaccid. Collagenous tissues e.g. , in tendons contribute make important contributions to the power generated by muscles. A case in point is the contribution of the calcaneal tendon ( Achilles tendon) to the force generated in calf muscles of jump legs of athletes during jumping maneuvers.
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