One form of muscle disease is caused by a mutant myosin allele. It prevents myosin from binding to other myosin molecules, thus preventing contraction. Suggest why.

Sarcomeres are formed of myosin and actin filaments which are interleaved. If myosin cannot bind to each other then thick filaments cannot be formed. Thus, there is nothing to anchor myosin so actin cannot be pulled during contraction and the sarcomere cannot shorten. Additionally, when the myosin heads rotate during the power stroke, generating the force required to pull actin, the myosin itself will move instead.

Answered by Jade W. Biology tutor

10159 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain the lock and key hypothesis of chemical reactions.


Explain the differences between meiosis and mitosis


Explain how a mutation in DNA could cause a non functioning enzyme to be formed


Why does temperature affect rate of reaction?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences