A Good Mind

Skeletal muscle is a type of muscle tissue that is attached to the skeleton and is responsible for the movement of the body. It is composed of long, cylindrical cells called muscle fibres that are arranged in parallel bundles.

Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, meaning that they are under conscious control. They work in pairs or groups to produce movement by contracting and relaxing in response to signals from the nervous system.

Skeletal muscles are essential for movement and are responsible for activities ranging from walking and running to lifting heavy objects and performing fine motor tasks. They are also important for maintaining posture and stabilising joints.

Skeletal muscle is made up of a complex network of proteins, including actin and myosin, that work together to enable contraction. When a muscle fibre receives a signal to contract, calcium ions are released inside the fibre, causing the actin and myosin filaments to slide past one another and shorten the muscle fibre. This process is known as the sliding filament theory.

Skeletal muscles also require a constant supply of energy in the form of ATP to function properly. ATP is generated through the breakdown of glucose and other energy sources in a process called cellular respiration.