Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not a difference between cardiac and skeletal muscle?
A
Cardiac muscle cells are branched, while skeletal muscle cells are not.
B
Both cardiac and skeletal muscles are striated.
C
Cardiac muscle is involuntary, whereas skeletal muscle is voluntary.
D
Cardiac muscle has intercalated discs, which skeletal muscle lacks.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the structural and functional differences between cardiac and skeletal muscle. Cardiac muscle cells are branched, which allows for a network-like structure, while skeletal muscle cells are typically long and cylindrical.
Recognize that both cardiac and skeletal muscles are striated, meaning they have a banded appearance due to the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments. This is a similarity, not a difference.
Identify the control mechanism of these muscles: cardiac muscle is involuntary, meaning it functions without conscious control, whereas skeletal muscle is voluntary and controlled consciously.
Examine the presence of intercalated discs in cardiac muscle. These specialized structures facilitate synchronized contraction and communication between cardiac cells, a feature absent in skeletal muscle.
Conclude by reviewing the options given in the problem. The statement 'Both cardiac and skeletal muscles are striated' is not a difference, but rather a similarity between the two types of muscle.