Describe and explain skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles?

Skeletal muscles, also known as striated muscles, are attached to the bones of the skeleton and are responsible for voluntary movements. They are called striated muscles because they have a striped appearance under a microscope due to the arrangement of protein fibers called actin and myosin. Skeletal muscles are under conscious control, meaning we can control their contraction and relaxation. They work in pairs, with one muscle contracting while the other relaxes to produce movement. Skeletal muscles are responsible for movements such as walking, running, lifting weights, and facial expressions.

Smooth muscles, also known as involuntary or non-striated muscles, are found in the walls of organs and structures such as the digestive tract, blood vessels, and respiratory passages. They are called smooth muscles because they lack the striped appearance of skeletal muscles. Smooth muscles are not under conscious control, meaning we cannot control their contraction and relaxation. They contract and relax involuntarily to perform functions such as pushing food through the digestive tract, regulating blood flow, and controlling the diameter of blood vessels. Smooth muscles are slower to contract and tire less easily compared to skeletal muscles.

Cardiac muscles are found only in the heart and are responsible for its contraction. They are also striated muscles, like skeletal muscles, but they have unique properties that differentiate them from both skeletal and smooth muscles. Cardiac muscles are involuntary, meaning we cannot consciously control their contraction and relaxation. They have a branching structure and are interconnected by specialized junctions called intercalated discs, which allow for coordinated contraction of the heart. Cardiac muscles have a high endurance and can contract continuously without getting fatigued. They are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body and maintaining the circulation of oxygen and nutrients.