Which muscle type is considered voluntary and responsible for movement?

• A. Cardiac muscle
• B. Skeletal muscle
• C. Smooth muscle
• D. Connective tissue

Answer: (B)

Skeletal muscle is the muscle type that is considered voluntary and is primarily responsible for movement of the body. This type of muscle is attached to the bones of the skeleton and its contraction results in the movement of these bones, allowing for a wide range of physical activities, from walking and running to fine motor skills, such as writing or playing a musical instrument.

Skeletal muscles are under conscious control, meaning that the nervous system can actively stimulate them, allowing an individual to decide when to move. This is in contrast to cardiac muscle, which is involuntary and responsible for heart contractions, and smooth muscle, which is also involuntary and found in the walls of hollow organs, aiding in functions like digestion and blood vessel regulation. Connective tissue, while it plays a critical supportive role in the body, does not have the capability to contract and therefore is not classified as muscle tissue. The unique characteristic of skeletal muscle being under voluntary control is what distinctly categorizes it as the primary muscle type involved in intentional movements.