Question

What are structural and functional differences and similarities between skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle?

Answer 1

Here are some of the features of each type of muscle.

Explanation:

Skeletal Muscle

(From theydiffer.com)

1. Function

• Aid in movement of the body

2. Structure

• Distributed throughout body
• Attached to the skeleton by tendons.
• Striated
• Well-supplied with nerves and blood vessels.
• Multinucleated cells

3. Other features

• Voluntary
• Activated by central nervous system
• Stretch and resume original shape.
• Contract rapidly but tire quickly.

Smooth Muscle

(From http://legacy.owensboro.kctcs.edu)

1. Function

• Maintain flow of fluid and food along through internal organs.

2. Structure

• In lining of internal organs
• Smooth appearance under a microscope.
• Non-striated

3. Other Features

• Involuntary
• Regulated by autonomic nervous system.
• Slow, rhythmic contraction
• Fatigue slowly.

Cardiac Muscle

1. Function

• Pump blood away from the heart towards the lungs and throughout the body

2. Structure

• Along walls of heart
• Striated
• Good blood supply.
• Mononucleated cells

3. Other Features

• Involuntary
• Controlled by autonomic nervous system
• Tireless