Question:

The immediate chemical source of energy for muscle contraction is:

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Always distinguish between direct energy and storage energy in muscles:
- Direct and immediate energy source = ATP.
- Storage backup energy reservoir = Creatine Phosphate.
Updated On: Jun 3, 2026
  • Actin
  • Myosin
  • ATP
  • Creatine Phosphate
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the immediate, direct biochemical molecule that supplies energy to power the sliding filament mechanism of muscle contraction.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:


• Muscle contraction operates via the sliding filament theory, which involves actin (thin filaments) and myosin (thick filaments) sliding past each other.

• The head of the myosin molecule contains an active site with ATPase enzymatic activity, which can bind and hydrolyze adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

• During the contraction cycle, the binding of ATP to the myosin head is required to release myosin from actin.

• The subsequent hydrolysis of this ATP molecule into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and an inorganic phosphate ($\text{P}_i$) releases free energy, which alters the conformation of the myosin head into a high-energy "cocked" state.

• This energized head binds to actin, forms a cross-bridge, and performs the "power stroke" to slide the actin filament. Thus, ATP is the direct and immediate chemical energy donor for this cross-bridge cycle.

• While Creatine Phosphate (D) is a highly concentrated energy reserve in muscle tissue, it cannot be utilized directly by the contractile proteins. Instead, creatine phosphate must transfer its high-energy phosphate group to ADP to regenerate ATP via the enzyme creatine kinase.

• Actin (A) and Myosin (B) are structural, contractile proteins that participate in the movement but do not act as energy molecules themselves.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The immediate chemical source of energy for muscle contraction is ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).
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