Final answer:
White muscles, or fast-twitch muscles, differ from red muscles in various ways. They contract quickly but fatigue rapidly due to their reliance on anaerobic metabolism. They also have fewer mitochondria and blood vessels compared to red muscles.
Step-by-step explanation:
White muscles, also known as fast-twitch muscles, have different characteristics compared to red muscles, or slow-twitch muscles.
White muscles contract more quickly but fatigue more rapidly compared to red muscles. This is because white muscles rely on anaerobic metabolism, which does not require oxygen, and therefore produce energy more quickly. However, they tire easily and are not well-suited for endurance activities.
White muscles also have fewer mitochondria, which are the powerhouses of the cell responsible for generating energy through aerobic metabolism. The reduced number of mitochondria contributes to the quick fatigue experienced by white muscles.
Additionally, white muscles have fewer blood vessels compared to red muscles, limiting the oxygen and nutrient supply to these muscles.
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