Answer
Skeletal muscles possess the following distinguishing characteristics:
1. They are voluntary . This means that they are under our conscious control.
2. They are striped or striated. This is due to the presence of alternating dark and light bands produced
by the arrangement of their contractile proteins..
3. Skeletal muscles are usually attached to one or more bones
Work Step by Step
The other types of muscles--smooth and cardiac-- are never attached to bones, and are never under direct voluntary control.
