Question: Which tissue brings about movement in animals?
ANS:
- Muscle tissue brings about movement in animals.
- This type of tissue is specialized for contraction, which allows animals to move their bodies, maintain posture, and perform various voluntary and involuntary movements.
- Muscle tissue is composed of specialized cells called muscle fibers or myocytes.
- Myocytes contain contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin, which slide past each other during contraction, generating force and shortening the muscle fibers.
- There are three main types of muscle tissue found in animals.
Skeletal Muscle:
- Skeletal muscle is attached to bones and is responsible for voluntary movements.
- It allows us to move our limbs, perform facial expressions, and engage in activities such as walking, running, and lifting objects.
Cardiac Muscle:
- Cardiac muscle is found exclusively in the heart.
- It is responsible for the rhythmic contractions that pump blood throughout the circulatory system.
Smooth Muscle:
- Smooth muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs, blood vessels, and other structures throughout the body.
- It is responsible for involuntary movements, such as the contraction of the stomach and intestines during digestion, constriction of blood vessels, and regulation of airflow in the respiratory system.
- Smooth muscle appears smooth under a microscope, hence its name.
| Muscle Type |
Location |
Control |
Appearance |
Function |
| Smooth Muscle |
Walls of organs, blood vessels, etc. |
Involuntary |
Non-striated (smooth) |
· Controls involuntary movements of various organs such as digestive system
· blood vessels
· respiratory airways
· reproductive system |
| Skeletal Muscle |
Attached to bones |
Voluntary |
Striated (striped) |
· Enables voluntary movements of the body, limbs, and facial expressions.
· Provides stability, posture, and support.
· Generates heat through contractions (thermogenesis). |
| Cardiac Muscle |
Heart |
Involuntary |
Striated (striped) |
· Responsible for involuntary contractions of the heart to pump blood
· Helps maintain blood circulation and supply oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues. |
