Nerve and muscle: smooth muscle stress relaxation: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Nerve and muscle: smooth muscle stress relaxation

Sample item

When the bladder is slowly filled, its wall tension rises initially and then falls back over the next minute although volume stays constant. What property of visceral smooth muscle does this show?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Stress relaxation, with the muscle adapting to its new length

Visceral smooth muscle shows stress relaxation: after being stretched, tension falls as the muscle adapts to the new length, which lets hollow organs such as the bladder accommodate volume without a large pressure rise. The effect is a property of the muscle wall as well as of neural control.

Option by option

  • A. Treppe, with each contraction stronger than the last

    Treppe is the staircase increase in twitch strength with repeated stimulation.

  • B. Latch state, with sustained force at low energy cost

    The latch state is sustained force with low energy use and does not describe falling tension.

  • C. Fatigue from exhaustion of ATP

    Fatigue is a reduction in force from repeated activity, not an adaptation to stretch.

  • D. Stress relaxation, with the muscle adapting to its new length (correct)

    Correct. Tension falls back after stretch as the muscle adapts to its new length.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, Stress relaxation, with the muscle adapting to its new length. Visceral smooth muscle shows stress relaxation: after being stretched, tension falls as the muscle adapts to the new length, which lets hollow organs such as the bladder accommodate volume without a large pressure rise.

Why is "Treppe, with each contraction stronger than the last" not the answer?

Treppe is the staircase increase in twitch strength with repeated stimulation.

Why is "Latch state, with sustained force at low energy cost" not the answer?

The latch state is sustained force with low energy use and does not describe falling tension.

Why is "Fatigue from exhaustion of ATP" not the answer?

Fatigue is a reduction in force from repeated activity, not an adaptation to stretch.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nerve and muscle: smooth muscle stress relaxation in Physiology. The effect is a property of the muscle wall as well as of neural control.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nerve and muscle: smooth muscle stress relaxation?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.