Question

Differentiate between.
Single-unit and Multiunit smooth muscles

Answer 1

Hint: Smooth muscles are involuntary muscles that are found in humans, they carry out the process of excitation on their own and are not under the influence of any voluntary force. Based on their presence in a group or clusters they are divided as Single-unit and Multi-unit smooth muscles.

Complete answer: The difference between single-unit smooth muscle and multi-unit smooth muscle is as follows-

SINGLE UNIT SMOOTH MUSCLE	MULTIUNIT SMOOTH MUSCLE
These are connected using gap junctions	Gap junctions are not seen
They act as a single functional unit	They act as multiple individual units
Syncytium is present	Syncytium is absent
They show the activity of the pacemaker	The activity of the pacemaker is not observed
Affected by muscle stretch	No affect by muscle stretch
contraction is not localized, rather found as a single unit.	6. contraction is discrete and localized
The autonomic nervous system is said to modify the response caused by these muscles	7. The autonomic nervous system can not modify the response caused by these muscles.
These are found in Gut, uterus, and bladder	8. These are found in eye muscles, in and large blood vessels

Additional information: 1. There are 5 main properties of the muscular system are :
Excitable or Irritable, Contractible, Extensible, Elasticity, Adaptability.
2. The important functions of the muscular system are as follows:
Mobility -The muscular system's main function is to allow movement,
Stability - Muscle tendons stretch over joints and contribute to joint stability,
Posture, Circulation, Respiration, Digestion, Urination, Childbirth.

Note: It should be noted that the name single unit is given as they function as one single unit while the others are termed as multiunit because they function as individual units.