Identify a major difference between smooth and striated muscle.

Smooth muscle can be characterized by the absence of striations, which is a result of the non-organized arrangement of actin and myosin filaments. In smooth muscle, these filaments are not arranged in the parallel, organized manner typical of striated muscle, leading to a more uniform appearance under a microscope. This structural characteristic is crucial because it differentiates smooth muscle from striated muscle, which does exhibit a banded appearance due to its highly organized structure that allows for the efficient contraction and movement associated with skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle. Understanding the structural differences is key in recognizing how the two types of muscle function differently within the body.