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List the Structural &functional Characteristics of Muscle Tissue (skeletal , Cardiac , Smooth).

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List the structural &functional characteristics of muscle tissue (skeletal , cardiac , smooth).

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Damian Master ยท Tutor for 5 years

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## Muscle Tissue: Structural and Functional CharacteristicsHere's a breakdown of the three types of muscle tissue:**1. Skeletal Muscle:*** **Structural Characteristics:** * **Striated:** Presents a striped appearance due to the organized arrangement of actin and myosin filaments. * **Multinucleated:** Each muscle fiber (cell) contains multiple nuclei located peripherally. * **Long, cylindrical fibers:** Can be quite long, extending the entire length of the muscle. * **Organized into fascicles:** Bundles of muscle fibers surrounded by connective tissue.* **Functional Characteristics:** * **Voluntary control:** Consciously controlled by the somatic nervous system. * **Rapid contraction and relaxation:** Produces powerful, quick movements. * **Easily fatigued:** Prone to tiring after prolonged or intense activity. * **Responsible for movement:** Facilitates body movement, posture maintenance, and heat generation.**2. Cardiac Muscle:*** **Structural Characteristics:** * **Striated:** Similar to skeletal muscle, it has a striped appearance. * **Branched fibers:** Cells connect to each other at intercalated discs. * **Single nucleus per cell:** Typically one centrally located nucleus. * **Intercalated discs:** Specialized junctions between cells that allow for rapid communication and synchronized contraction.* **Functional Characteristics:** * **Involuntary control:** Regulated by the autonomic nervous system and specialized pacemaker cells. * **Rhythmic and coordinated contractions:** Ensures consistent heartbeats. * **Resistant to fatigue:** Contracts continuously throughout life. * **Pumps blood:** Propels blood throughout the circulatory system.**3. Smooth Muscle:*** **Structural Characteristics:** * **Non-striated:** Lacks the striped pattern seen in skeletal and cardiac muscle. * **Spindle-shaped cells:** Tapered at both ends. * **Single nucleus per cell:** Centrally located nucleus. * **Arranged in sheets or layers:** Often found in the walls of hollow organs.* **Functional Characteristics:** * **Involuntary control:** Regulated by the autonomic nervous system, hormones, and local factors. * **Slow, sustained contractions:** Can maintain prolonged contractions without fatigue. * **Peristalsis:** Wave-like contractions that propel substances through hollow organs (e.g., digestive tract). * **Regulation of organ size and function:** Controls the diameter of blood vessels, airflow in the respiratory system, and other internal processes.This table summarizes the key differences:| Feature | Skeletal Muscle | Cardiac Muscle | Smooth Muscle ||---|---|---|---|| Striations | Present | Present | Absent || Nuclei | Multiple, peripheral | Single, central | Single, central || Cell Shape | Long, cylindrical | Branched | Spindle-shaped || Control | Voluntary | Involuntary | Involuntary || Contraction Speed | Fast | Moderate | Slow || Fatigue Resistance | Low | High | High || Function | Movement, posture | Pumping blood | Organ function, peristalsis |