Which type of muscle is found in many automatic regulating systems of the body and is not under conscious control?

Involuntary muscle is a type of muscle that operates without conscious control, making it essential for many automatic regulating systems in the body. This includes muscles found in the walls of organs such as the heart (cardiac muscle) and the gastrointestinal tract (smooth muscle).

Involuntary muscle is responsible for actions such as the movement of food through the digestive system and the contraction of the heart to pump blood, both occurring automatically without the need for conscious thought. This distinguishes involuntary muscle from voluntary muscles, which are consciously controlled and enable movements like walking or grabbing an object.

Skeletal muscles are a specific subtype of voluntary muscle; they are striated and controlled consciously. While striated muscle relates to skeletal and cardiac muscle, it does not encompass the full range of involuntary muscles, particularly smooth muscles. Therefore, involuntary muscle is accurately identified as the correct answer, as it governs functions that are crucial for maintaining bodily operations without the need for conscious input.