Expert: Taz - 2/2/2005

Question
What is the difference between brain tissue and muscle tissue?

Answer
Hello Matt

The short answer is:

The function of brain tissue (nervous tissue) is to move and coordinate body functions. It is composed mostly of neurons which conduct impulses propagated in their cell bodies through their axons. Neurons are supported by nerve cells called glial cells.

The function of muscle tissue is movement and contraction. Muscle tissue connects to nervous tissue via a neuromuscular junction (the junction between a motor neurone and the muscle it supplies). Muscle tissue, triggered by the motor neurone impulse, contracts. Muscle tissue is either voluntary (also known as striated or skeletal), or involuntary (smooth or cardiac).  

Extra useful notes:

BRAIN TISSUE (NERVE TISSUE)

The two subtypes of nerve tissue are:

1. Neurons, which receive stimuli and conduct impulses to and from all parts of the body

2. Glial cells, which are supportive. Some glial cells wrap around and hence support neurons in the brain, and others bind neurons to other connective tissue. Glial cells come in four types: astrocytes,
oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal
cells.

Neurons contain dendrites receiving signals from synapses from other neurons, connected to a cell body, which contains the nucleus and ribosomes and an axon (the long part of the nerve fibre which conducts impulses away from the cell body) which ends in a synapse.

The brain is actually composed of three layers of nervous tissue called meninges: the dura mater (external layer), arachnoid (middle layer) and pia mater (internal layer).

MUSCLE TISSUE

Skeletal muscle is attached to bones that move the skeleton. Skeletal muscle is contracted voluntarily. Examples of skeletal muscles are the deltoids and biceps. Skeletal muscle cells are long and thread like, with alternating light and dark fibres.

Smooth muscle is located in the walls of internal structures such as in the stomach, intestines and blood vessels allowing such organs to expand and contract involuntarily. Smooth muscle has no striations.

Cardiac muscle is found in the heart and contracts constantly, rhythmically and automatically, enabling the heart to pump blood. Cardiac muscle also contracts involuntarily. Cardiac muscle cells are slightly striated, and joins to two or more other cells, giving it an intercalated structure.

Acknowledgement to the following web sites: http://reach.ucf.edu/~OncEduc1/PDF/sec6.pdf http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/neuromuscular+junction

Regards

Tariq