What are the characteristics of skeletal muscle cells?

Skeletal muscle cells are one of three types of muscle cells found in the body. They are attached to the bones throughout the body with the help of collagen fibers known as tendons, and are responsible for voluntary movement. 

The skeletal muscles cells have four main characteristics that facilitate its functioning: 

1. Excitability refers to the ability of the skeletal muscle to receive and quickly react to stimuli by changing their membrane potential. This characteristic is also known as responsiveness.  

2. Contractility in skeletal muscle refers to their ability to contract or shorten when sufficient force is applied. The contraction of the muscle causes the bone or body part to which it is attached to move. Although the contraction occurs forcefully when sufficient stimulation is supplied, the muscles lengthen passively either due to contraction of an opposing muscle or gravity. Contractility is a unique characteristic of skeletal tissue.  

3. Elasticity refers to the inherent ability of the skeletal muscle to recoil and return to its original resting length after stretching. 

4. Extensibility is the capacity of skeletal muscle to lengthen or extend when stretched. Muscle cells shorten and trigger movement when they contract. After contraction, they are able to stretch beyond their normal resting length to a limited degree.