Final answer:
The statement is true—skeletal muscle contractions are voluntary, controlled by individual's will, unlike cardiac muscle contractions which are involuntary and cannot be consciously controlled.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false: Unlike cardiac muscle contractions, skeletal muscle contractions are voluntary.
This statement is true. Voluntary muscles, such as skeletal muscles, can be controlled by an individual's will. For example, you choose to move your leg or arm. Involuntary muscles, like cardiac muscles, cannot be consciously controlled. The cardiac muscle tissue is only found in the heart, and it works involuntarily to pump blood throughout the body and maintain blood pressure. While both skeletal and cardiac muscles are striated, only the skeletal muscles can be consciously controlled.
It is important to note that skeletal muscles can also contract involuntarily through reflex actions. For instance, if your finger touches a hot surface, the reflex action causes your hand to withdraw automatically. However, these reflex actions are not the same as the conscious control we have over skeletal muscles that defines them as voluntary.