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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is a unique structural characteristic of cardiac muscle cells?
A
Voluntary control by the somatic nervous system
B
Presence of intercalated discs
C
Multinucleated cells arranged in parallel bundles
D
Lack of striations
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structural characteristics of cardiac muscle cells. Cardiac muscle cells are specialized muscle cells found in the heart and have unique features that distinguish them from skeletal and smooth muscle cells.
Review the concept of intercalated discs. Intercalated discs are specialized junctions between cardiac muscle cells that allow for synchronized contraction. They contain gap junctions and desmosomes, which facilitate electrical and mechanical connectivity.
Compare cardiac muscle cells to skeletal and smooth muscle cells. Skeletal muscle cells are voluntary, multinucleated, and striated, while smooth muscle cells are involuntary and lack striations. Cardiac muscle cells are involuntary, striated, and have intercalated discs.
Eliminate incorrect options based on the structural characteristics. For example, cardiac muscle cells are not under voluntary control (eliminating 'Voluntary control by the somatic nervous system') and are not multinucleated (eliminating 'Multinucleated cells arranged in parallel bundles'). They are striated, so 'Lack of striations' is incorrect.
Conclude that the presence of intercalated discs is the unique structural characteristic of cardiac muscle cells, as this feature is not found in skeletal or smooth muscle cells.