Found only in the heart and responsible for moving blood and maintaining blood pressure.

Found only in the heart and responsible for moving blood and maintaining blood pressure.

• A. Cardiac
• B. Skeletal
• C. Smooth
• D. Nervous

Answer: (A)

The heart’s pumping action and ability to maintain blood pressure come from cardiac muscle, a type of involuntary, striated muscle found only in the heart. Cardiac muscle cells are connected by intercalated discs with gap junctions that let electrical impulses spread quickly, allowing the heart to contract as a coordinated unit to move blood and sustain pressure. Skeletal muscle is voluntary and attaches to bones; smooth muscle lines hollow organs and blood vessels but isn’t confined to the heart; nervous tissue isn’t muscle and doesn’t contract to pump blood. Therefore, the best answer is cardiac muscle.

The heart’s pumping action and ability to maintain blood pressure come from cardiac muscle, a type of involuntary, striated muscle found only in the heart. Cardiac muscle cells are connected by intercalated discs with gap junctions that let electrical impulses spread quickly, allowing the heart to contract as a coordinated unit to move blood and sustain pressure. Skeletal muscle is voluntary and attaches to bones; smooth muscle lines hollow organs and blood vessels but isn’t confined to the heart; nervous tissue isn’t muscle and doesn’t contract to pump blood. Therefore, the best answer is cardiac muscle.