Skeletal myocytes, also known as skeletal muscle fibers, are the cells that make up skeletal muscle tissue. These long, cylindrical cells are multinucleated and are responsible for voluntary movements in the body. They contract in response to signals from the nervous system, allowing for activities such as walking, lifting, and running. Skeletal myocytes contain specialized structures called myofibrils, which are made up of repeating units called sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the basic functional units of muscle contraction and contain proteins like actin and myosin. The arrangement of these proteins gives skeletal muscle its striated appearance, which is characteristic of this type of muscle tissue.