Florida Basic Recruit Training Program High Liability (First Aid) Practice Exam

What are the muscles called that are attached to the skeleton and controlled by the nervous system?

1. Skeletal muscles

2. Smooth muscles

3. Cardiac muscles

4. Involuntary muscles

The correct answer is: Skeletal muscles

Skeletal muscles are the type of muscles that are directly attached to the skeleton and are controlled by the nervous system, allowing for voluntary movement throughout the body. These muscles are responsible for actions such as walking, lifting, and other deliberate movements. They work in conjunction with the bones to facilitate motion and are characterized by their striated appearance under a microscope due to their organized fiber structure. Skeletal muscles respond to signals from the nervous system, meaning they can be consciously controlled. This is in contrast to other muscle types, such as smooth and cardiac muscles, which function involuntarily, meaning they are not under conscious control. Smooth muscles are found in the walls of internal organs and blood vessels, while cardiac muscles make up the heart. Both of these muscle types operate automatically, coordinating actions like digestion and heart contractions without requiring direct commands from the brain. Thus, the distinction of skeletal muscles being under voluntary control by the nervous system sets them apart from the other muscle types mentioned.