The latch-bridge mechanism in smooth muscle is responsible for:: (A) Fast muscle twitch, (B) Sustained muscle contraction, (C) Excitation-contraction coupling, (D) Unstable membrane potential
Answer is B. Ans. B. Sustained muscle contractionThe twitch duration in sphincters and smooth muscle is particularly longer. Latch bridges are actomyosin complexes that detach slowly; this is made possible by a slow myosin ATPase. In turn, this enables maintenance of tension for longer periods without consumption of more ATP.