Which property describes the ability of muscle tissue to return to its original size after being stretched?

• A. Extensibility
• B. Excitability
• C. Elasticity
• D. Contractibility

Answer: (C)

Elasticity is the property that describes a muscle's ability to return to its original length after being stretched. When a muscle is stretched, elastic components within the muscle and connective tissue, and proteins such as titin, store energy and then release it to pull the muscle back to its resting length. This distinguishes elasticity from extensibility, which is simply how much a muscle can be stretched; elasticity specifically concerns rebound after deformation. Excitability is about responding to nerve signals, and contractility is about actively shortening to generate force. Therefore, the ability described in the question is elasticity.