Question

State three differences between red muscle fibre and white muscle fibre.

Answer 1

• Red muscle fibres are dark red due to the presence of myoglobin. They have large amount of mitochondria whereas, the white muscle fibres have low amount of mitochondria and myoglobin.
  
• Red muscle fibres have thin fibres which allows them to contract slowly whereas, white muscle fibres have thick fibres which make them to contract fast.
  
• Red muscle fibres are also called type I muscles or slow twitch muscles whereas, white muscle fibres are called type II muscles or fast twitch muscles.
• Red muscle fibres are highly resistant to fatigue whereas, muscles can easily get fatigue.
• Red muscles obtain energy from aerobic metabolism whereas, white muscle fibres obtain energy from anaerobic metabolism.
• Red muscle fibres have slow conduction due ti low myosin ATPase activity whereas, white muscle fibres have fast conduction due to high myosin ATPase activity.