Question

Much discussion of muscle is related to ‘striated’ muscle, but ‘smooth’ muscles are also important for:

• A. Protecting and nourishing striated muscle cells
• B. Conveying action potentials from nerve endings to the deepest parts of striated muscle
• C. Involuntary activities, such as movement of food in the gut and controlling blood pressure
• D. Sheathing the striated muscles so that they do not damage each other as they slide past on another

Answer 1

The correct option is C Involuntary activities, such as movement of food in the gut and controlling blood pressure

Smooth muscle is found in the walls of hollow organs like intestines and stomach. Smooth muscles are involved in many housekeeping functions of the body like muscles of intestines contract to push food through the body, muscles of urinary bladder contract to expel urine out of the body. They are involved in involuntary activities, such as movement of food in the gut and controlling blood pressure.