Q BankQuestion BankDocsDocuments

B3.3.3 (HL)—Titin and antagonistic muscles

Titin stabilises sarcomeres as an elastic spring, while antagonistic muscles produce opposite movements because muscles actively contract but cannot push.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
B3.3.3
Level
HL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing8%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–2

Common command terms

  • Label
  • Identify
  • Outline
  • Describe
  • Explain

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Saying antagonistic muscles both contract together for the same movement.

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ13(c)[ 2 ]B3.3.3 (HL)—Titin and antagonistic muscles
November 2025Paper1A ["HL"] · TZ323[ 1 ]B3.3.3 (HL)—Titin and antagonistic muscles
May 2025Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ12(c)(ii)[ 2 ]B3.3.3 (HL)—Titin and antagonistic muscles
May 2024Paper2 ["HL"] · TZ15(b)[ 2 ]B3.3.3 (HL)—Titin and antagonistic muscles
November 2022Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ037[ 1 ]B3.3.3 (HL)—Titin and antagonistic muscles
Practice this objective

Coverage 2018–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Titin helps keep myosin centred in the sarcomere.
  • Titin stores elastic energy and helps sarcomeres recoil.
  • Muscles create force by contraction, not active pushing.
  • Antagonistic muscle pairs produce opposite movements at joints.
  • Biceps and triceps are a common flexor-extensor pair.
ConceptIB Biology HL