1.8 Anatagonistic Pairs

Question 1

Why are muscles arranged in pairs?

Answer 1

Muscles can only pull and so are not capable of pushing.

Question 2

Where are antagonistic pairs?

Answer 2

On the either side of joints

Question 3

What is an antagonistic muscle pair?

Answer 3

A pair of muscles that work together to produce movement

Question 4

What is the agonist?

Answer 4

The muscle within the pair that, at a given time, is contracting out to pull on the bone and produce movement

Question 5

What is the antagonist?

Answer 5

The muscle within the pair that, at a given time, is relaxing to allow movement to occur

Question 6

How is movement produced (antagonistic pairs)?

Answer 6

Movement is produced when one muscle contacts and pulls on a bone, while the opposite muscle relaxes and allows the bone to be pulled.
Same process happens in the other direction when the other muscle contracts

Question 7

For the arm which is the agonist/antagonist in different Flexion/extension

Answer 7

When the arm is flexed, the bicep contracts and is the agonist.
The tricep is relaxed and is the antagonist

When the arm is extended, the bicep relaxes and is the antagonist.
The tricep contracts and is the agonist.

Question 8

Give examples of antagonistic pairs

Answer 8

Bicep and tricep, acting at elbow to create extension and Flexion

Hip flexor and glutes, acting at the hip and to create Flexion and extension

Hamstrings and quads, acting at the knee to create Flexion and extension

Tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius, acting at the ankle to create dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion

Question 9

In sporting situations, antagonist pairs don’t swap roles T OR R

Answer 9

False, they continuously swap roles