Question

Associated with each hair follicle is a small muscle that, when it contracts, changes the angle of the hair relative to the surface of the skin. A student has incorrectly identified the muscle tissue as skeletal muscle. Which statement best explains why skeletal muscle is incorrect?

A) Skeletal muscle is not found in association with hair follicles
B) Skeletal muscle is under involuntary control
C) Skeletal muscle is not striated
D) Skeletal muscle is not attached to bones

Answer 1

The student is incorrect in identifying the muscle tissue as skeletal muscle because skeletal muscle is striated, while the muscle associated with hair follicles is smooth muscle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is C) Skeletal muscle is not striated.

Skeletal muscle tissue forms skeletal muscles, which attach to bones or skin and control locomotion and any movement that can be consciously controlled. Skeletal muscle tissue has a striped or striated appearance when viewed under a microscope, which is caused by the regular arrangement of contractile proteins (actin and myosin). Therefore, skeletal muscle tissue is striated.

The muscle associated with hair follicles is called arrector pili muscle, which is a type of smooth muscle, not skeletal muscle. Smooth muscle is not striated, and it is found in the skin, walls of internal organs, blood vessels, and internal passageways.