Which nutrient is listed as nourishing muscle cells?

Which nutrient is listed as nourishing muscle cells?

• A. Assimilation of nutrients
• B. Oxygen
• C. Glucose
• D. Protein synthesis

Answer: (C)

Muscle cells need ATP to contract, and glucose provides that quick energy source. It can be obtained from blood glucose or released from stored muscle glycogen, then processed through glycolysis to pyruvate and then into the mitochondria for full ATP production when oxygen is available. Even when oxygen is limited, glycolysis from glucose still fuels contraction, though less efficiently. So glucose directly nourishes the energy needs of muscle cells. As for the other options: assimilating nutrients describes the process of uptake rather than a nutrient itself; oxygen supports energy production but is a gas/ reactant, not a nourishing nutrient in the same sense as glucose; protein synthesis relates to building and repairing tissues rather than supplying immediate energy for contraction.

Muscle cells need ATP to contract, and glucose provides that quick energy source. It can be obtained from blood glucose or released from stored muscle glycogen, then processed through glycolysis to pyruvate and then into the mitochondria for full ATP production when oxygen is available. Even when oxygen is limited, glycolysis from glucose still fuels contraction, though less efficiently. So glucose directly nourishes the energy needs of muscle cells.

As for the other options: assimilating nutrients describes the process of uptake rather than a nutrient itself; oxygen supports energy production but is a gas/ reactant, not a nourishing nutrient in the same sense as glucose; protein synthesis relates to building and repairing tissues rather than supplying immediate energy for contraction.