What type of muscle is skeletal muscle?

Skeletal muscle is classified as voluntary and striated, which is reflected in the correct answer. This means that skeletal muscles are under conscious control, allowing individuals to perform tasks such as walking, lifting, and any other movements that require intention. The striated appearance is due to the organized arrangement of actin and myosin filaments within the muscle fibers, which gives them a banded look under the microscope.

In contrast, smooth muscles, which are involuntary and non-striated, control automatic processes in the body, such as digestion and blood vessel regulation. Cardiac muscle, while striated like skeletal muscle, is also involuntary and specifically found only in the heart. The distinction between voluntary and involuntary muscle types is crucial in understanding how different muscles operate within the body and their roles in movement and bodily functions.