Which type of muscle is responsible for voluntary movements in the body?

Skeletal muscle is the type of muscle responsible for voluntary movements in the body. This muscle is attached to the bones and is under conscious control, allowing individuals to move limbs, maintain posture, and perform various physical activities. Skeletal muscle fibers are characterized by their striated appearance, which is a result of the arrangement of actin and myosin filaments within the muscle cells. This striated texture is what distinguishes them from other types of muscle, such as cardiac and smooth muscle.

In contrast, cardiac muscle, found only in the heart, operates involuntarily and is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body. Involuntary muscle refers to smooth muscle, which is also not under conscious control and is found in various internal organs and structures. Striated muscle is actually a broad term encompassing both skeletal and cardiac muscle, but when specifying voluntary control, skeletal muscle is the specific type that relates to voluntary movement. Thus, skeletal muscle is the correct choice as it is the primary muscle type consciously controlled and responsible for movements initiated by the nervous system.