Hyperplasia refers to

Hyperplasia refers to

• A. An increase in cross-sectional area of existing muscle fibers
• B. An increase in the number of muscle fibers due to longitudinal splitting
• C. An increase in bone density
• D. An increase in tendon length

Answer: (B)

Hyperplasia is a process of increasing the number of cells, not the size of existing cells. In skeletal muscle, that would mean more muscle fibers. The option describing an increase in the number of muscle fibers due to longitudinal splitting fits this idea, since it reflects creating additional fibers rather than enlarging the same fibers. In contrast, expanding the cross-sectional area of existing fibers is hypertrophy, not hyperplasia. Increasing bone density involves bone remodeling, and lengthening a tendon isn’t a change in muscle fiber number. So the description of more muscle fibers formed by splitting is the best match for hyperplasia.

Hyperplasia is a process of increasing the number of cells, not the size of existing cells. In skeletal muscle, that would mean more muscle fibers. The option describing an increase in the number of muscle fibers due to longitudinal splitting fits this idea, since it reflects creating additional fibers rather than enlarging the same fibers. In contrast, expanding the cross-sectional area of existing fibers is hypertrophy, not hyperplasia. Increasing bone density involves bone remodeling, and lengthening a tendon isn’t a change in muscle fiber number. So the description of more muscle fibers formed by splitting is the best match for hyperplasia.