What type of tissue contains contractile filaments and is responsible for movement?

Muscle tissue is the type of tissue that contains contractile filaments, specifically actin and myosin, which enable movement. This tissue is specialized for contraction and is essential for various types of movement in the body, including voluntary movements such as walking (provided by skeletal muscle) and involuntary movements such as the heartbeat and contractions of the digestive tract (provided by cardiac and smooth muscle, respectively). The unique structure of muscle fibers allows them to generate force, which is critical for locomotion and other bodily functions.

In contrast, nervous tissue is responsible for the transmission of signals throughout the body and does not perform movement itself. Connective tissue provides structural support and protection to other tissues and organs, but it does not contract to facilitate movement. Epithelial tissue serves as a protective layer covering the body surfaces and lines cavities and organs, also lacking the ability to produce movement through contraction. This distinguishes muscle tissue as the primary tissue responsible for the mechanical actions associated with movement.