Question

Skeletal muscle fibre is a "Syncytium" which means it is?
A. Made up of many fibres
B. Made up of many proteins
C. Long and slender
D. Swollen in the middle with tapered ends
E. Multinucleated

Answer 1

Hint: Muscle is a specialised tissue originated from the germ layer, mesoderm. The muscular tissue is made up of specialised cells called myocytes. These cells are bound together by a connective tissue and form muscular tissue . It brings about different types of movements in internal and external body parts. A human body is made up of 639 muscles. They have unique properties like contractibility, excitability, elasticity and extensibility.

Complete answer: Skeletal muscles are also known as striated muscles and striated muscles. These muscles are innervated by branches from cranial and spinal nerves. Intercalated discs in these muscles are usually absent. They are multinucleated muscles and hence syncytial.
Let us match this feature with the given features:-
> Made up of many fibres :- when many of the fibres are present this condition is called a bundle of fibres and not syncytial . Hence this option is not correct.
> Made up of many proteins :- this situation is called a multiprotein situation and not syncytial . Thus this option is also not correct.
> Long and slender :- when muscles are slender they are called as cylindrical and not syncytial . So the option is not correct.
> Swollen in the middle with tapered ends :- this situation is called spindle shaped and it is a kind of smooth muscle not skeletal muscle . Thus this option is not correct.
> Multinucleated :- when so many nuclei are present the situation is called multinucleated and also syncytial . Thus this option is correct.

Our required answer is e that is multinucleated.

Note: Skeletal muscle or striped or striated or voluntary muscles: These muscles are attached to the skeleton component of the body and are primarily involved in the locomotory actions and changes of the body posture. When observed under a microscope, alternate light and dark bands are observed on the muscle fibres.