Question

What are the major differences between skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle (as discussed in the lecture notes)? How are they similar?

Answer 1

Differences:

Cardiac muscle is found only in the heat, whereas skeletal muscle is found attached to the bones of the entire body.

cardiac muscles are controlled by autonomic nervous system whereas skeletal muscles are controlled by somatic nervous system.

cardiac muscle fiers are semi spindle in shape, whereas skeletal muscle fibers are cylindrical in shape.

cardiac muscle cells possess gap junctions, whereas skeletal muscle cells do not

cardiac muscle cells contract without neural stimulation, whereas skeletal muscle cells contract as a result of neural stimulation.

cardiac muscle cells are uninucleated, whereas skeletal muscle cells are multinucleated

Similarity:

Both cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle fibers are striated