Which of the following is true regarding the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in smooth muscle compared to skeletal muscle?
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Correct answer: It is rudimentary and lacks well-organized tubule systems
The SR in smooth muscle is less developed than in striated muscle. Because smooth muscle cells are small and contract slowly, they rely on a combination of extracellular calcium influx and limited release from the SR.
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More Smooth Muscle Histology questions
- Which type of smooth muscle organization involves cells acting independently and being richly innervated by individual nerve endings?
- Unitary (visceral) smooth muscle cells are functionally linked by which histological feature?
- Which intermediate filament protein is most characteristic of smooth muscle in the vascular system?
- Smooth muscle cells are capable of synthesizing which extracellular matrix components?
- Under a light microscope, how does a cross-section of smooth muscle appear compared to a longitudinal section?
- What is the primary mechanism for terminating a smooth muscle contraction?