Which of the following statements regarding control of muscle tissue is/are correct? Select True or False for each statement.
T/F All skeletal muscles are voluntary.
T/F Cardiac muscle is involuntary.
T/F Some smooth muscle tissues are voluntary, and others are involuntary.
T/F Parasympathetic and sympathetic neurons innervate skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissues.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the types of muscle tissues: Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth. Skeletal muscles are generally under voluntary control, meaning you can consciously control their movement.
2. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart and is involuntary, meaning it functions without conscious control. It is regulated by the autonomic nervous system.
3. Smooth muscle is found in various parts of the body such as the walls of blood vessels and the digestive tract. It is generally involuntary, but some smooth muscles can be controlled voluntarily, such as those in the urinary bladder.
4. The autonomic nervous system, which includes parasympathetic and sympathetic neurons, primarily innervates cardiac and smooth muscle tissues, not skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscles are innervated by the somatic nervous system.
5. Evaluate each statement based on the understanding of muscle control: Skeletal muscles are voluntary, cardiac muscles are involuntary, smooth muscles can be both, and autonomic neurons do not innervate skeletal muscles.

Key Concepts

Voluntary vs. Involuntary Muscle Control

Muscle control is categorized into voluntary and involuntary types. Voluntary muscles, like skeletal muscles, are consciously controlled, allowing movements such as walking. Involuntary muscles, such as cardiac and most smooth muscles, operate without conscious control, managing functions like heartbeats and digestion.

Types of Muscle Tissue

There are three main types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones and facilitate movement. Cardiac muscle is found in the heart and is responsible for pumping blood. Smooth muscle is located in walls of hollow organs and helps in processes like peristalsis in the digestive tract.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulates involuntary physiological functions and is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. It innervates cardiac and smooth muscles, controlling heart rate, digestion, and other automatic functions. Skeletal muscles are primarily controlled by the somatic nervous system, not the ANS.