Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What is the role of myoblasts in muscle formation?

1. They absorb nutrients for muscle growth

2. They fuse together to form muscle fibers

3. They produce energy for muscle contraction

4. They repair damaged muscle tissue

The correct answer is: They fuse together to form muscle fibers

Myoblasts play a crucial role in muscle formation by fusing together to form muscle fibers, also known as myotubes. This fusion process is essential for the development of skeletal muscle tissue during both embryonic development and the muscle repair process in adults. Each myoblast contributes its nucleus to the new muscle fiber, which is why muscle fibers are multinucleated. This fusion enables the construction of larger, functional muscle cells that can generate force and facilitate movement. Other roles associated with muscle tissue, such as nutrient absorption or energy production, are performed by different cell types and metabolic processes. While muscle fibers do require energy for contraction, that function is not performed directly by myoblasts but rather by the mature muscle fibers they become part of. Similarly, while muscle tissue can repair itself, the role of repairing damaged tissue is often attributed to a different set of cells and mechanisms post-fusion.