Which feature is characteristic of smooth muscle tissue?

Which feature is characteristic of smooth muscle tissue?

• A. Nucleus of smooth muscle cell
• B. Intercalated discs
• C. Striations
• D. Cardiac tissue

Answer: (A)

Understanding muscle tissue types comes down to structural clues. Smooth muscle cells are non‑striated and typically spindle-shaped, with a single central nucleus. That combination—a solitary central nucleus in a non‑striated cell—is characteristic of smooth muscle and helps distinguish it from other muscle types. Intercalated discs are specialized junctions found between cardiac muscle cells, not smooth muscle. Striations arise from organized sarcomeres and appear in skeletal muscle and in cardiac muscle, but smooth muscle lacks them. Labeling the tissue as cardiac would be incorrect for smooth muscle. So, the presence of a nucleus in smooth muscle cells fits the smooth muscle profile best among the options.

Understanding muscle tissue types comes down to structural clues. Smooth muscle cells are non‑striated and typically spindle-shaped, with a single central nucleus. That combination—a solitary central nucleus in a non‑striated cell—is characteristic of smooth muscle and helps distinguish it from other muscle types. Intercalated discs are specialized junctions found between cardiac muscle cells, not smooth muscle. Striations arise from organized sarcomeres and appear in skeletal muscle and in cardiac muscle, but smooth muscle lacks them. Labeling the tissue as cardiac would be incorrect for smooth muscle. So, the presence of a nucleus in smooth muscle cells fits the smooth muscle profile best among the options.