levers

Question 1

what are agonsists, antagonists, and synergists in terms of muscles?

Answer 1

agonist: prime mover of a muscle action
antagonist: muscle that does the opposing action
synergist: aids in action or acts as a stabilizer

Question 2

describe effort, folcrom, and load

Answer 2

effort: provided by the muscle
load: weight of the body
fulcrum: the joint

Question 3

what is a first class lever

Answer 3

the fulcrum is in between the effort and the load. An example is the triceps. the triceps branchii are the effort, the elbow is the fulcrum, and the load is the humerus/arm

Question 4

what is a second class lever?

Answer 4

the load is in between the fulcrum and the effort. An example is the calf. The effort to raise it comes from the gastrocnemius muscle, the load is the body weight, and the fulcrum is the metacarpophalengeal joint

Question 5

what is a third class lever?

Answer 5

this is the most common in the body. It has the effort in between the fulcrum and the load. An example is the bicep. the elbow joint is the fulcrum, the bicep does the effort, and the load is the forearm and hand being lifted.

Question 6

define origin and insertion

Answer 6

origin: the spot where muscle is attached to a fixed bone
insertion: the spot typically attached to a moveable bone