What characterizes striated muscle tissue?

Striated muscle tissue is characterized by its distinct appearance, which features alternating light and dark bands, giving it a "streaked or scratched" look under a microscope. This striation is due to the organization of contractile proteins (actin and myosin) within the muscle fibers. The striations are indicative of the highly organized structure of the myofibrils in skeletal and cardiac muscles, which allows for effective and coordinated contractions.

In addition to its appearance, striated muscle tissue is typically voluntary in the case of skeletal muscle, enabling conscious control over muscle movements. Cardiac muscle, while striated as well, operates involuntarily. The unique structure and appearance of striated muscle are crucial for the functions they perform, including facilitating movement and maintaining heart contractions. The other options do not accurately reflect the characteristics of striated muscle tissue, as they refer to smooth muscle tissue or describe features that do not pertain to the distinct organizational structure of striated muscle.