Chapter 9 - Muscles and Muscle Tissue

Movement

involuntary or voluntary

Body Posture & Body Position

muscles hold us up against gravity

Joint Stability

muscles & tendons reinforce joints

Maintaining Body Temperature

muscle contractions produce heat

Excitability

generate action potentials in response to stimulus

Contractability

muscle cells shorten when they contract

Extensibility

muscle cells can lengthen/stretch

Elasticity

healthy muscle cells return to their original shape

Skeletal Muscle Tissue

voluntary muscle tissue

• provides movement of body parts

• striated

• attaches to and uses the skeleton

• creates the most force

  • but needs the most rest

• adaptable

Cardiac Muscle Tissue

involuntary muscle tissue

• moves blood through the body

• striated

Smooth Muscle Tissue

involuntary muscle tissue

• moves fluids and substances through body

• no striations