Difference between Striated and Smooth Muscles

Muscles are the specialized tissues that help in the movement of the body. Based on the structure and function, muscles are classified into three types - skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles. Smooth and striated muscles are two types of muscle tissue present in the body. The following are the differences between striated and smooth muscles.

Structure

- Striated muscle fibers are long, cylindrical, and multinucleated cells that have a banded appearance due to the presence of parallel arrangement of actin and myosin filaments. They are also called skeletal muscles as they are attached to the bones of the skeletal system.
- Smooth muscle fibers are spindle-shaped, uninucleated cells that lack the banded appearance due to the absence of parallel arrangement of actin and myosin filaments. They are also called involuntary muscles as they are found in the walls of hollow organs such as the digestive tract, blood vessels, and uterus.

Appearance

- Striated muscles appear striped or striated under a microscope due to the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments.
- Smooth muscles appear smooth under a microscope due to the absence of a regular arrangement of actin and myosin filaments.

Control

- Striated muscles are under voluntary control, meaning they are controlled by conscious effort and the nervous system.
- Smooth muscles are under involuntary control, meaning they are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and hormones.

Contraction

- Striated muscles contract rapidly and with great force, making them useful for movements that require strength and speed.
- Smooth muscles contract slowly and rhythmically, making them useful for movements that require sustained contractions, such as in the digestive tract.

Regeneration

- Striated muscles have limited regenerative capacity and when damaged, they are replaced by fibrous tissue.
- Smooth muscles have a greater regenerative capacity and can regenerate after injury or damage.

Conclusion

In summary, striated muscles are long, cylindrical, and multinucleated cells that appear striped under a microscope and are under voluntary control. Smooth muscles are spindle-shaped, uninucleated cells that appear smooth under a microscope and are under involuntary control. They differ in structure, appearance, control, contraction, and regeneration.

1) Striated muscles are voluntary in nature while smooth muscles are involuntary in nature.
2)Striated muscles have alternative dark and light bands due to actin and myosin and are long and cylindrical whereas smooth muscles do not have any bands and are spindle shaped.
3) Striated muscles are long and cylindrical whereas smooth muscles are spindle shaped.
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