Question

Differentiate between skeletal and smooth muscles.

Answer 1

Skeletal Muscles	Smooth Muscles
They are attached to the bones.	They line up the visceral organs viz. Intestines, blood vessels, pupils, etc.
They perform voluntary actions.	They are responsible for involuntary reflexes and actions.
They are well striated.	They lack striation.
Innervated by Peripheral Nervous System i.e. PNS.	Innervated by Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Help perform movements i.e walking, running, jumping, writing, etc.	Responsible for vital body functions i.e. breathing, digestion, urine formation, etc.
Calcium is the most vital substance in the process of skeletal muscle contraction.	Neurotransmitters Acetylcholine or Norepinephrine play important role in smooth muscle contraction.
Types of Skeletal Muscles are Red and White.	Types of Smooth Muscles are Single-unit, Multi-unit, eg. Ciliary muscles.
They contain actin and myosin filaments. The ratio of actin & myosin is 2:1.	They also contain actin and myosin filaments, The ratio of actin and myosin is 10:1.
Troponin is present in skeletal muscles that are Ca-binding proteins responsible for muscle contraction.	Calmodulin is present in smooth muscles that are Ca-binding proteins responsible for muscle contraction.