On electron microscopy of a smooth muscle cell, intermediate filaments are anchored to dense bodies, which serve a function analogous to which structure in skeletal muscle?

• A M line
• B H zone
• C A band
• D Z line ✓

Explanation

In smooth muscle, dense bodies anchor intermediate filaments and transmit contractile force, serving the same anchoring function as the Z line in skeletal muscle. The M line anchors thick myosin filaments. The A band contains overlapping actin and myosin, and the H zone is the central region of the A band containing only myosin.

Reference: Junqueira's Basic Histology, 16th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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