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Ch. 9 Muscles and Muscle Tissue
Chapter 8, Problem 17

Mrs. Delancy went to the local meat market and bought a beef tenderloin (cut from the loin, the region along the steer's caudal vertebral column) and some tripe (cow's stomach). What type of muscle was she preparing to eat in each case?

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1
Identify the type of muscle found in the beef tenderloin, which is cut from the loin region along the steer's caudal vertebral column.
Recognize that the loin region of a steer is primarily composed of skeletal muscle, which is responsible for voluntary movements and is characterized by its striated appearance.
Determine the type of muscle found in tripe, which is derived from the cow's stomach.
Understand that the stomach is part of the digestive system and is composed of smooth muscle, which is responsible for involuntary movements and lacks striations.
Conclude that Mrs. Delancy is preparing to eat skeletal muscle in the beef tenderloin and smooth muscle in the tripe.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Skeletal Muscle

Skeletal muscle is a type of striated muscle tissue that is under voluntary control, primarily responsible for the movement of bones and the body. It is composed of long, cylindrical fibers that contract to produce movement. In the context of beef tenderloin, this muscle type is what Mrs. Delancy is preparing to eat, as it comes from the skeletal muscles of the cow.
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Smooth Muscle

Smooth muscle is a type of non-striated muscle tissue that is involuntary and found in the walls of hollow organs, such as the stomach and intestines. It is responsible for involuntary movements, such as the contraction of the stomach to aid in digestion. The tripe that Mrs. Delancy purchased consists of smooth muscle, as it comes from the stomach of the cow.
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Muscle Composition

Muscle composition refers to the different types of muscle fibers present in a muscle, which can affect texture, flavor, and cooking methods. In beef, the composition varies between skeletal muscle, which is rich in myofibrils and connective tissue, and smooth muscle, which has a different structure and function. Understanding muscle composition helps in selecting appropriate cooking techniques for different cuts of meat.
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