Muscles

Muscles are important tissues in the body that allow movement, provide stability, and generate heat. There are three main types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.

Skeletal Muscles

Skeletal muscles are attached to the bones of the skeleton and are responsible for voluntary movements such as walking, talking, and picking up objects. These muscles appear striped or striated under a microscope, hence the name striated muscles.

Study Guide

• What are skeletal muscles responsible for?
• How do skeletal muscles appear under a microscope?

Smooth Muscles

Smooth muscles are found in the walls of internal organs such as the stomach, intestines, and blood vessels. They are responsible for involuntary movements and are not under conscious control. These muscles appear smooth under a microscope.

Study Guide

• Where are smooth muscles found in the body?
• Are smooth muscles under conscious control?

Cardiac Muscles

Cardiac muscles are found in the heart and are responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. They are striated like skeletal muscles but are involuntary like smooth muscles.

Study Guide

• Where are cardiac muscles found?
• What is the function of cardiac muscles?

Understanding the different types of muscles and their functions is important for understanding how the human body moves and functions.

[Muscles] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• Bones, muscles, and skinScience • Eighth Grade
• Moving and Controlling the BodyScience • Sixth Grade