Muscle Tissue Comparison

Muscle Tissue Comparison

Part A
A “red-hot” bacterial infection of the intestinal tract irritates the intestinal cells and interferes with digestion. Such a condition is often accompanied by diarrhea, which causes loss of body water.

On the basis of what you have learned about osmotic water flows, explain why diarrhea may occur.

Part B

Compare and contrast skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissue relative to structure, body location, and specific function.

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APA

Part A: Osmotic Water Flows and Diarrhea

Diarrhea occurs in bacterial infections of the intestinal tract because the infection disrupts the normal osmotic balance within the intestines. Normally, the intestinal cells regulate the movement of water and electrolytes between the intestinal lumen and the bloodstream. In the presence of a bacterial infection:

Toxin Production: Many bacteria release toxins (e.g., cholera toxin) that stimulate intestinal cells to actively secrete chloride ions (Cl⁻) into the intestinal lumen. Sodium ions (Na⁺) and water follow the chloride ions due to osmotic gradients.
Increased Osmotic Pressure: The accumulation of electrolytes and other solutes in the intestinal lumen increases osmotic pressure, drawing water from the surrounding intestinal cells and tissues into the lumen.
Decreased Absorption: The infection can damage intestinal cells, impairing their ability to absorb water and nutrients from the intestinal contents, which exacerbates fluid loss.
Rapid Water Loss: The result is excessive water retention in the intestinal lumen, leading to diarrhea, as the body attempts to expel the infection.

This loss of water and electrolytes can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, emphasizing the importance of rehydration therapy in treating diarrhea.

Part B: Comparison of Skeletal, Cardiac, and Smooth Muscle Tissues

Feature	Skeletal Muscle	Cardiac Muscle	Smooth Muscle
Structure	Long, cylindrical, multinucleated fibers with striations.	Branched, uninucleated or binucleated fibers with striations; intercalated discs.	Spindle-shaped, uninucleated cells without striations.
Body Location	Attached to bones and skin.	Walls of the heart (myocardium).	Walls of hollow organs (e.g., intestines, blood vessels).
Function	Voluntary control of movement, posture, and heat production.	Involuntary control; pumps blood through the heart and circulatory system.	Involuntary control; regulates organ function, such as peristalsis, blood pressure, and pupil size.
Contraction Speed	Fast, can be sustained for a short duration.	Moderate, rhythmic, and continuous (autorhythmic).	Slow, sustained, and wave-like contractions.
Control	Voluntary (somatic nervous system).	Involuntary (autonomic nervous system and intrinsic pacemaker cells).	Involuntary (autonomic nervous system and hormones).
Special Features	Fatigue more quickly due to energy demands.	Resistant to fatigue due to constant oxygen supply via coronary circulation.	Highly resistant to fatigue; can sustain long-term contractions with minimal energy.

Summary

Skeletal Muscle enables voluntary movements and is striated with multinucleated fibers.
Cardiac Muscle drives involuntary blood circulation and…