Which of the following best describes muscle?

Muscle is best described as tissues that can contract and enable movement. This definition captures the primary function of muscle tissue in the body, which is to create movement through contraction. Muscle cells are specialized to contract and generate force, allowing for voluntary motions like walking or running, as well as involuntary movements such as the beating of the heart or the movement of food through the digestive tract.

This understanding differentiates muscle from other types of tissues in the body. For example, connective tissue serves to support and bind other tissues, but does not contract. Fat tissue, or adipose tissue, serves a different purpose by storing energy and providing insulation but does not contract. Organs involved in processing food, like the stomach or intestines, consist of muscle tissue but are not themselves defined as muscle. Thus, the definition emphasizing contraction and movement is the most accurate representation of muscle.