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What percentage of the body's bulk is made up by muscles?
1/4
1/2
3/4
2/3
The correct answer is: 1/2
Muscles constitute a significant portion of the body's total mass, comprising approximately 50% of an individual's body weight. This estimate is a general average, as muscle mass can vary based on factors such as age, sex, fitness level, and overall health. The reasoning behind this percentage stems from the physiological role and distribution of muscle tissue throughout the body. Muscles are essential not only for movement but also play critical roles in metabolism, posture, and maintaining body temperature. The skeletal muscle system, which includes all voluntary muscle tissues that can be controlled consciously, accounts for a sizable proportion of body weight, while smooth and cardiac muscles contribute to functions that are not as pronounced in total mass but are vital for bodily functions. Other choices either underestimate or overestimate the proportion of muscle mass. For example, suggesting that muscles make up one-fourth or three-fourths of body weight would misrepresent the average distribution of muscle versus fat and other tissues in a typical healthy adult. Thus, recognizing that approximately half of the body weight is derived from muscle provides a foundational understanding for those studying human anatomy or involved in health-related fields.