Significance of Muscles in the Life of Animals
Muscles are specialized tissues responsible for movement, posture, circulation, and essential bodily functions in animals. There are three types of muscles:
1. Skeletal Muscles – Attached to bones and responsible for voluntary movements (e.g., walking, lifting objects).
2. Cardiac Muscles – Found in the heart, involuntary, and responsible for pumping blood.
3. Smooth Muscles – Found in the walls of internal organs (digestive tract, blood vessels) and regulate involuntary functions.
Functions of Muscles in Animals
1. Movement and Locomotion – Skeletal muscles allow animals to move, hunt, escape predators, and interact with their environment.
2. Circulation of Blood – Cardiac muscles contract rhythmically to pump blood throughout the body.
3. Digestive Functions – Smooth muscles help push food through the digestive system via peristalsis.
4. Temperature Regulation – Muscle activity generates heat, helping animals maintain body temperature (e.g., shivering).
5. Support and Posture – Muscles work with bones to maintain body structure and balance.