Understanding the Structure and Function of Muscle Tissue

Information is passed to muscles by the nervous system through:

• hormones

• electrical impulses

• blood flow

• enzymes

Muscles work in antagonistic pairs. What does this mean?

• They work together to produce the same movement.

• They work in opposition to each other to move bones.

• They do not interact with each other.

• They only contract and never relax.

Synergistic muscles are:

• muscles that work together to perform a movement

• muscles that oppose each other's action

• muscles that are not involved in movement

• muscles that cause fatigue

Fill in the blank: At least ___ muscles act at every joint. Muscles are only capable of pulling motions (contractions) and so have to work in pairs to move limbs about joints e.g. triceps and biceps.

• 2

• 1

• 3

• 4

What are the two things that muscle tissue can do?

• Contract and conduct electrical impulses.

• Store fat and produce hormones.

• Filter blood and absorb nutrients.

• Transmit light and secrete enzymes.

Name and describe the function of a muscle which contracts voluntarily and one that contracts involuntarily.

• Skeletal muscle contracts voluntarily and controls movement. Smooth muscle contracts involuntarily and is found in visceral organs.

• Cardiac muscle contracts voluntarily and is found in the limbs. Smooth muscle contracts voluntarily and is found in the heart.

• Skeletal muscle contracts involuntarily and controls digestion. Cardiac muscle contracts voluntarily and is found in the stomach.

• Smooth muscle contracts voluntarily and controls movement. Skeletal muscle contracts involuntarily and is found in the intestines.

Which type of muscle tissue is responsible for conscious contraction?

• Cardiac

• Smooth

• Skeletal

• None of the above

Which type of muscle tissue is found in the heart and contracts unconsciously?

• Skeletal

• Cardiac

• Smooth

• None of the above

Which type of muscle tissue is responsible for unconscious contraction in organs such as blood vessels?

• Skeletal

• Cardiac

• Smooth

• None of the above

Match the type of muscle tissue with its characteristic:

• Smooth

• Unconscious contraction (heart)

• Cardiac

• Unconscious contraction (organs)

• Skeletal

• Conscious contraction