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What type of muscles are controlled by conscious thought?
Smooth
Cardiac
Striated
Involuntary
The correct answer is: Striated
Striated muscles, also known as skeletal muscles, are the type of muscles controlled by conscious thought. This is because striated muscles are connected to the skeleton and are responsible for voluntary movements. They are under the control of the somatic nervous system, allowing individuals to consciously initiate and regulate actions such as walking, lifting objects, or performing other activities that require purposeful movement. These muscles appear striated (or banded) under a microscope due to their organized arrangement of actin and myosin filaments. This structural organization enables the rapid and forceful contractions needed for various physical activities. In contrast, smooth muscles, which are found in internal organs, and cardiac muscles, which make up the heart, are involuntary and not controlled consciously, meaning they function automatically without direct thought. Therefore, the unique property of striated muscles to be consciously controlled distinguishes this category from the others.