What is one characteristic of smooth muscle?

Smooth muscle is characterized by its ability to propel substances through internal passageways, which is essential for various bodily functions. This type of muscle tissue is not striated, meaning it does not have the banded appearance seen in skeletal muscle, and it operates involuntarily. Smooth muscle can be found in various internal structures such as the walls of blood vessels, the digestive tract, and the respiratory system. Its rhythmic contractions help move food along the digestive tract, regulate blood flow, and facilitate other involuntary processes, making the ability to propel substances a defining function of smooth muscle.