Lesson 3.6.3.2

3.6.3.2 Slow and fast skeletal muscle fibres Quiz: AQA Biology, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 3.6.3.2, Slow and fast skeletal muscle fibres: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Biology (7402), Unit 6: Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. What is the colour of slow skeletal muscle fibres and why?

    • Blue, because they contain a lot of calcium
    • White, because they contain no myoglobin
    • Red, because they contain a large amount of myoglobin
    • Green, because they contain chloroplasts

  2. Which feature is characteristic of slow skeletal muscle fibres?

    • Many mitochondria and aerobic respiration
    • A high concentration of phosphocreatine and no myoglobin
    • A large amount of lactate production during rest
    • Few mitochondria and anaerobic respiration only

  3. Which respiration pathway do fast skeletal muscle fibres rely on more heavily?

    • Anaerobic glycolysis
    • Photosynthesis
    • Denitrification
    • Aerobic respiration in the mitochondria

  4. Which property best describes slow skeletal muscle fibres?

    • They contract slowly and resist fatigue, so they are suited to endurance
    • They produce no ATP and rely on stored glycogen only
    • They are found only in the heart
    • They contract rapidly and fatigue quickly, so they are suited to sprinting

  5. Which fibre type would a marathon runner be expected to rely on most?

    • Neither, because marathon running uses no muscle
    • Fast fibres, because they contain many more mitochondria
    • Slow fibres, because they resist fatigue during long periods of activity
    • Fast fibres, because they fatigue quickly during long activity

  6. Which fibre type generally contains more phosphocreatine?

    • Neither contains phosphocreatine
    • Slow fibres
    • Fast fibres
    • Both have identical amounts

  7. Which feature of fast skeletal muscle fibres relates to their rapid contraction?

    • A high concentration of myoglobin for oxygen storage
    • Continuous supply of oxygen from blood capillaries
    • A large number of mitochondria close to the cell surface
    • A more extensive sarcoplasmic reticulum, which releases calcium ions quickly

  8. Why do slow muscle fibres have a high density of blood capillaries?

    • To keep the fibre cold during contraction
    • To remove calcium ions quickly from the muscle
    • To supply enough oxygen for aerobic respiration over long periods
    • To provide phosphocreatine for the sarcomere

  9. What is the function of myoglobin in slow fibres?

    • It stores oxygen within the muscle fibre
    • It produces calcium ions for contraction
    • It breaks down glycogen into glucose
    • It makes actin filaments shorter

  10. Which description of the contraction rate of slow fibres compared with fast fibres is correct?

    • Slow fibres do not contract at all
    • Slow fibres contract more slowly
    • Slow fibres contract more quickly
    • Both types contract at the same rate

  11. A muscle fatigue investigation counts the number of repeated contractions before a fall in force. Which variable is controlled?

    • The fall in force
    • The load and rest time between contractions
    • The number of contractions
    • The time in seconds

  12. A muscle with many fast fibres is used for repeated maximal contractions with no rest. What is the most likely result?

    • Fatigue sets in quickly, because lactate and depleted phosphocreatine build up
    • The muscle never fatigues because fast fibres make oxygen
    • The muscle fatigues only after several hours
    • The muscle makes more myoglobin during the contraction

  13. A muscle relies heavily on glycolysis for ATP. Which product accumulates when oxygen supply is insufficient?

    • Oxygen
    • Lactate
    • Carbon dioxide only
    • Myoglobin

  14. Which statement describes how slow fibres generate ATP?

    • Mainly through aerobic respiration, so their ATP supply depends on oxygen delivery
    • Mainly through photosynthesis in the muscle cells
    • Only from phosphocreatine stored in the sarcoplasm
    • Mainly through anaerobic glycolysis without oxygen

  15. Why are fast fibres less effective in long endurance activities?

    • They contain no sarcomeres
    • They produce too many mitochondria
    • They fatigue quickly, because they rely on anaerobic pathways that produce lactate
    • They use too much oxygen for the blood supply

  16. Which control is needed in an investigation of muscle fatigue using human volunteers?

    • Different volunteers for each repetition
    • Changing the temperature of the room for each trial
    • The same exercise, load and rest interval for each trial
    • A different load for each trial

  17. Which of these statements about muscle fibre types is correct?

    • Slow and fast fibres are identical in every way except size
    • Fast fibres have more myoglobin than slow fibres
    • Slow fibres contain no mitochondria at all
    • Slow and fast fibres differ in colour, metabolism, speed of contraction and fatigue resistance

  18. Why would a fast fibre have a lower mitochondrial density than a slow fibre?

    • Fast fibres have no need for ATP
    • Fast fibres are heavier than slow fibres
    • Fast fibres rely more on anaerobic glycolysis, so they need fewer mitochondria
    • Fast fibres use photosynthesis to make ATP

  19. Which exercise would most rely on fast skeletal muscle fibres?

    • Slow walking across a day
    • Maintaining posture while standing
    • Long-distance cycling over several hours
    • A short, maximal sprint

  20. A muscle biopsy shows many red fibres with dense mitochondria. Which fibre type is most likely?

    • Slow skeletal fibres
    • Cardiac muscle fibres
    • Fast skeletal fibres
    • Smooth muscle fibres

All AQA Biology quizzes