Compare and contrast the three types of muscle tissue. Be sure to include their structures, their functions, and an example of each.

Skeletal muscles

Structure; they are long cylindrical fiber, striated, many peripherally located nuclei.

Functions; Voluntary movement, produces heat, protects organs.

Examples; the biceps, slow twitch fibers, fast glycolytic fibers.

Cardiac muscles

Structure; they are short, branched, striated, single central nucleus

Functions; Contracts to pump blood, they are found in the heart

Examples; Heart muscles

Smooth muscles

Structure; They are short, spindle shaped, no evident of striation, single nucleus in each fiber

Function; Involuntary movement, moves food, involuntary control of respiration, moves secretions, regulates the flow of blood in arteries by contraction.

Example; Muscles found in the walls of hollow organs like the intestines, stomach and the blood vessels.