Question:medium

The H-zone in the skeletal muscle fibre is due to

Updated On: Apr 21, 2026
  • The absence of myofibrils in the central portion of A-band
  • The central gap between myosin filaments in the A-band
  • The central gap between actin filaments extending through myosin filaments in the A-band
  • Extension of myosin filaments in the central portion of the A-band
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The question asks about the specific region within the skeletal muscle fiber known as the H-zone. To understand the H-zone, it is important to review the structure of the sarcomere, which is the functional unit of a muscle fiber.

The sarcomere consists of different bands and zones:

  • The A-band spans the length of the thick (myosin) filaments and is responsible for the dark band of the striated muscle appearance.
  • The I-band contains only thin (actin) filaments and appears as the light band.
  • The H-zone is the central region of the A-band where there are no overlapping actin filaments.

Let's analyze the options:

  • Option 1: "The absence of myofibrils in the central portion of A-band" – This is incorrect because myofibrils are still present, and this option misinterprets what constitutes the H-zone.
  • Option 2: "The central gap between myosin filaments in the A-band" – This is incorrect because myosin filaments extend throughout the A-band, including the H-zone.
  • Option 3: "The central gap between actin filaments extending through myosin filaments in the A-band" – This is correct. The H-zone is characterized by the absence of actin filaments in this central region, thus creating a gap.
  • Option 4: "Extension of myosin filaments in the central portion of the A-band" – This is incorrect because the myosin filaments span the entire A-band, not extending specifically in the H-zone.

Thus, the correct answer is the central gap between actin filaments extending through myosin filaments in the A-band, which corresponds to Option 3.

In conclusion, the key feature of the H-zone is its location within the A-band, where only myosin filaments are present, creating a central gap without actin filaments.

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