Structure and Function of Muscular Tissues
Introduction
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| 2D graphic showing the structure of muscular tissues with labeled skeletal muscle fibers, types of muscles and their functions |
Muscular tissues are essential for all types of body movements, from a simple blink to running and even breathing. In this article, we will discuss the structure, types, and functions of muscular tissues in a simple and organized way. These notes are perfect for quick exam revision and academic preparation.
What are Muscular Tissues?
Muscular tissues are specialized tissues composed of muscle fibers (muscle cells) that have the unique ability to contract and relax. This property enables movement of body parts and maintenance of body posture.
Structure of Muscular Tissues
Muscular tissues are made up of elongated cells called muscle fibers. These fibers are rich in contractile proteins — actin and myosin — that allow contraction and relaxation.
Each muscle fiber has:
A plasma membrane called the sarcolemma.
A cytoplasm called the sarcoplasm.
Special organelles like myofibrils which are bundles of actin and myosin filaments.
The arrangement of these filaments gives muscles either a striated (striped) or smooth (non-striped) appearance.
Types of Muscular Tissues
Muscular tissues are classified into three major types:
1. Skeletal Muscles
Also called striated muscles due to their striped appearance.
Voluntary in action (under conscious control).
Found attached to bones (e.g., muscles of arms and legs).
Multinucleated and cylindrical in shape.
2. Cardiac Muscles
Found only in the walls of the heart.
Striated but involuntary in function (not under conscious control).
Cells are branched and interconnected, forming a network.
One or two nuclei per cell.
3. Smooth Muscles
Also known as non-striated muscles.
Involuntary in action.
Found in walls of internal organs like intestines, blood vessels, and bladder.
Spindle-shaped cells with a single nucleus.
Functions of Muscular Tissues
Muscular tissues perform a variety of important functions:
Functions of muscle:
1. Muscles help in movement of body parts.
2. It helps Posture Maintenance such as Skeletal muscles maintain body posture.
3. Cardiac muscles pump blood throughout the body.
4. Smooth muscles aid in movement of food through the digestive system (peristalsis).
5. Muscle contraction generates heat to maintain body temperature.
Quick Summary
Muscular tissues consist of specialized contractile cells.
Three types: Skeletal (voluntary), Cardiac (involuntary, heart), Smooth (involuntary, internal organs).
Functions include movement, circulation, posture maintenance, digestion, and heat production.
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Conclusion
Understanding muscular tissues is crucial for studying animal physiology and human anatomy. We hope these notes on "Structure and Function of Muscular Tissues" help you in your Zoology exams. For more free notes, MCQs, and study materials, keep visiting zoologys.co.in.
FAQs on Muscular Tissues
Q1. Which muscle type is voluntary in action?
Ans. Skeletal muscles are voluntary.
Q2. Where are cardiac muscles found?
Ans. Cardiac muscles are found in the walls of the heart.
Q3. What proteins are responsible for muscle contraction?
Ans. Actin and myosin are the main proteins responsible for contraction.
Q4. Are smooth muscles striated?
Ans. No, smooth muscles are non-striated.
References
Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2017). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (15th ed.). Wiley.
Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2018). Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th ed.). Pearson.
Guyton, A. C., & Hall, J. E. (2016). Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology (13th ed.). Elsevier.
Purves, W. K., Sadava, D., Orians, G. H., & Heller, H. C. (2004). Life: The Science of Biology (7th ed.). Sinauer Associates.
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., & Walter, P. (2015). Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th ed.). Garland Science.
OpenStax. (2022). Anatomy and Physiology. OpenStax, Rice University. [Available free online at OpenStax.org]
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