What type of muscles are striated and controlled by conscious thought?

Striated muscles, often referred to as skeletal muscles, are characterized by their banded or striated appearance under a microscope. This appearance is due to the arrangement of muscle fibers, which allows for their voluntary contraction. These muscles are specifically under conscious control, meaning that individuals can decide when to contract or relax them, which is essential for movements such as walking, running, or lifting.

In contrast, smooth muscles are not striated and are found in various organs, operating involuntarily without conscious thought. Cardiac muscles, while striated like skeletal muscles, are also under involuntary control and function to pump blood in the heart rhythmically and automatically. Involuntary muscles, by definition, are those that operate without conscious effort, such as smooth and cardiac muscles. Therefore, the defining characteristic of striated muscles being both striated and consciously controlled clarifies why this answer is the most accurate choice.