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

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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.

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The 20 questions

  1. What gives slow skeletal muscle fibres their characteristic red colour?

    • High haemoglobin count
    • Excess blood vessels
    • High myoglobin content
    • Dense mitochondria

  2. Which cellular component is found in high numbers in slow skeletal muscle fibres?

    • Mitochondria
    • Sarcoplasmic reticulum
    • Myosin heads
    • Glycogen granules

  3. Which primary metabolic pathway is relied upon heavily by fast skeletal muscle fibres?

    • Anaerobic glycolysis
    • Oxidative phosphorylation
    • Beta-oxidation
    • The Krebs cycle

  4. Which property best describes slow skeletal muscle fibres?

    • Fatigue resistant
    • High glycogen storage
    • Rapid contraction
    • Low myoglobin

  5. Which muscle fibre type is relied upon most heavily by marathon runners?

    • Intermediate fibres
    • Glycolytic fibres
    • Slow fibres
    • Fast fibres

  6. Which muscle fibre type generally contains a higher concentration of phosphocreatine?

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

  7. Which organelle is more extensive in fast skeletal muscle fibres to aid rapid contraction?

    • Rough endoplasmic reticulum
    • Cell surface membrane
    • Golgi apparatus
    • Sarcoplasmic reticulum

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

    • For glucose storage
    • For lactate production
    • For oxygen supply
    • For calcium storage

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

    • Oxygen storage
    • Calcium binding
    • ATP hydrolysis
    • Glucose transport

  10. How does the contraction rate of slow skeletal muscle fibres compare to fast fibres?

    • Does not contract
    • Contracts more slowly
    • Contracts more rapidly
    • Contracts at equal speed

  11. Which variable must be controlled when investigating muscle fatigue duration?

    • Contraction force
    • Rest time
    • Lactate concentration
    • Oxygen consumption

  12. What is the likely result of repeated maximal contractions in a muscle with many fast fibres?

    • Rapid fatigue
    • Myoglobin synthesis
    • Enhanced aerobic capacity
    • Increased endurance

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

    • Oxygen
    • Lactate
    • Carbon dioxide only
    • Myoglobin

  14. Through which main pathway do slow skeletal muscle fibres generate their ATP?

    • Aerobic respiration
    • Anaerobic glycolysis
    • Lactic fermentation
    • Phosphocreatine breakdown

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

    • They lack myoglobin entirely
    • They contract too slowly
    • They fatigue quickly
    • They have few mitochondria

  16. Which variable must be controlled when testing muscle fatigue using human volunteers?

    • Shoe size
    • Volunteers age
    • Rest interval
    • Room humidity

  17. Which feature is higher in slow skeletal muscle fibres than in fast fibres?

    • Glycolytic enzymes
    • Creatine store
    • Phosphocreatine
    • Myoglobin content

  18. Why do fast skeletal muscle fibres typically have a lower mitochondrial density?

    • Oxidative phosphorylation
    • Krebs cycle
    • Anaerobic glycolysis
    • Aerobic respiration

  19. Which athletic activity relies predominantly on fast skeletal muscle fibres?

    • Cross-country ski
    • Marathon
    • Long-distance swim
    • Short 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

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