What action does an antagonist perform during a muscular contraction?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the role of an antagonist in the context of muscular contractions, specifically what function it serves during this process. The options provided suggest different potential actions that relate to muscle movement.
Answer
The antagonist muscle relaxes or lengthens.
During a muscular contraction, the antagonist muscle relaxes or lengthens while the agonist muscle contracts.
Answer for screen readers
During a muscular contraction, the antagonist muscle relaxes or lengthens while the agonist muscle contracts.
More Information
In musculature, antagonistic pairs consist of two muscles: the agonist, which contracts to create movement, and the antagonist, which relaxes to allow the movement. This coordinated effort allows for smooth and controlled motion.