Which of the following is the major cell of skeletal muscles?

Study for the Anatomy and Physiology (ANAPHY) Battery Exam. Review key concepts with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ace your test!

The major cell of skeletal muscles is the skeletal muscle fiber. These fibers are long, cylindrical cells that are multinucleated and exhibit a striated appearance due to the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments within them. Skeletal muscle fibers are responsible for voluntary movements and are attached to bones via tendons, enabling locomotion and various body movements.

Skeletal muscle fibers are distinct in structure and function compared to cardiac and smooth muscle fibers. Cardiac muscle fibers, while striated as well, are found exclusively in the heart and are under involuntary control, whereas smooth muscle fibers are non-striated and are found in various organs and blood vessels, functioning involuntarily. Myofibrils are not individual cells; they are the contractile units within a skeletal muscle fiber that contain the actin and myosin filaments necessary for muscle contraction. Thus, the skeletal muscle fiber is the primary functional unit in skeletal muscles.

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