Muscular system Flashcards
functions of the muscular system
- Creates movement
- Maintains posture
- Maintains bodily functions
how does the muscular system create movement
Skeletal muscles will contract and pull on bones to enable the body’s development
how does the muscular system maintain posture
Through coordinated contractions of appropriate muscles and stabilizing ligament structures
what bodily functions does the muscular system maintain?
- Circulation of blood
- Digestion controlled by intestines
- Breathing initiated by the diaphragm
what are the different types of muscles
-skeletal muscles
-smooth muscles
-cardiac muscles
skeletal muscles
Pull-on bones to create movement
smooth muscles
These muscles help with digestion and nutrient collection and are involuntary
cardiac muscles
Is the heart itself, being involuntary controlled. It contracts and relaxes to pump blood around the body.
What are the types of muscle fibres?
- slow-twitch (type one)
- fast-twitch (type two)
Characteristics of slow-twitch/type one fibres
-slow contraction speed
-generate energy through the aerobic pathway
-used for continuous activities (marathon running)
-low force production
fast-twitch or type two fibres
-rapid contraction speed
-anaerobic ATP production
-used for quick, high-intensity activities (sprinting)
-high force production
how do people get slow/fast-twitch fibres
-genetic inheritance can determine an individual speed or endurance potential
-people born with slow-twitch fibres are better suited for endurance activities
-people born with fast-twitch fibres are better suited for shorter, powerful activities
-training can help the development of fibres
what colour is slow and fast-twitch fibres
- slow twitch are red
- fast twitch is white
what is the origin
the point at which the muscle joins the stationary bone
what is the insertion
the point where the muscle-tendon joins the moving bone
what is relaxation
when muscles return to their original length
what is an antagonist pair
for every muscle group that pulls on a bone in a one direction, there is a matching muscle group pulling the bone in the opposite direction
what is the prime mover/agonist
the muscle that produces movement
what is the antagonist
the muscle with opposite action of the prime mover
what is an example of an antagonist pair
flexing the bicep (prime mover) and relaxing the tricep (antagonist)
what is a stabiliser
are muscles that hold other joints when increasing tension to allow controlled movement
why do females have greater flexibility
due to a hormone which causes softening and stretching of ligaments - essential for child birth
factors that affect flexibility
- tendon and ligament elasticity
- bone structure
- muscle mass
what are ligaments
ligaments connect bone to bone
what are tendons
tendons connect muscle to bone
what is Excitability
The ability to respond to a stimulus, which may be delivered from a motor neuron or a hormone
what is extensibility
the ability of a muscle to extend to a predetermined endpoint
what is elasticity
the ability to stretch muscles to reach their full range if movement without restriction
