Which muscle tissue type is characterized by striations and multi-nucleated cells?

Study for the AandP Muscle and Tissue Exam with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Prepare for success!

Skeletal muscle tissue is characterized by its striations and multi-nucleated cells. The striations result from the organized arrangement of actin and myosin filaments within the muscle fibers, creating a banded appearance. This structure is essential for the muscle's function as it allows for efficient contraction and force generation.

Additionally, skeletal muscle fibers are long and cylindrical, and they contain multiple nuclei situated at the periphery of the cells. This multinucleation is a result of the fusion of myoblasts during development, providing the muscle cells with the necessary metabolic machinery to sustain high demand for energy and proteins during vigorous activity.

In contrast, other muscle types such as cardiac and smooth muscle do not exhibit the same striated pattern. Cardiac muscle does have striations but usually has a single nucleus per cell. Smooth muscle lacks striations entirely and is also typically uninucleated. Therefore, the distinctive features of striations and multinucleation strongly indicate that the correct answer is skeletal muscle.

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