MUSCLE CELLS are elongated cells that have the ability to contract.
Muscle cells are made up of myosin and actin,
which are protein filaments that slide past one another in order to produce contractions,
which change the length and shape of the muscle cells. Muscles cells are
largely responsible for posture, locomotion and movement of internal
organs. There are there basic types of muscles; they are skeletal, cardiac and
smooth muscles. Muscle cells are derived from the mesodermal
layer of the embryonic germ cells. A muscle can be described as either
voluntary or involuntary in action. Cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary in
action because they contract without conscious thought or effort. Skeletal
muscles are voluntary in action.
