Part III: Muscle Tissue

3 types: Skeletal muscle Cardiac muscle Smooth muscle

Skeletal Muscle Description:

Long, cylindrical Multinucleate (2+ nuclei) Striated (banded appearance)

Function: Muscles contract, pull on bones or skin

cause body movements Location in the body:

Attached to skeleton Other features:

Voluntary control

Cardiac Muscle Description:

Striated Uninucleate (1 nucleus) Branching cells – fit at junctions called intercalated

discs Function:

Propel blood through blood vessels to all parts of body

Locations in the body: Walls of the heart

Other features: Involuntary control

Smooth Muscle Description:

No visible striations 1 central nucleus Spindle-shaped (pointed ends)

Function: Propel substances through hollow organs

Locations in the body: Walls of organs (stomach, bladder, uterus, blood vessels)

Other features: Involuntary control Contracts slowly Peristalsis: wavelike motion that moves food through SI