True or False: Smooth muscle can apply force to bones and joints via various types of contractions.

Smooth muscle is a type of involuntary muscle found in various systems throughout the body, including blood vessels, digestive tract, and respiratory tract, among others. Unlike skeletal muscle, which is attached to bones and is responsible for voluntary movements, smooth muscle does not directly connect to bones or joints. Therefore, it does not have the ability to apply force to bones and joints through contractions.

Smooth muscle contracts in a more rhythmic and sustained manner to facilitate functions such as peristalsis in the intestines or regulating blood vessel diameter. These actions are essential for bodily functions but do not involve direct movement of the skeleton or articulation of joints, as would happen with skeletal muscle contractions.

In summary, the assertion that smooth muscle can apply force to bones and joints via various types of contractions is false, reflecting a misunderstanding of the roles and functions of different muscle types.