Biology

Key unit competence

Explain the structure of muscles in relation to movement. 

Learning objectives 

By the end of this unit, I should be able to:

– Describe the three main types of animal skeletons.  

– Discuss the functions of skeletons.  

– State and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of exoskeletons. 

– Describe the features of a synovial joint 

– Appreciate the role of joints and muscles in bringing about movement. 

– Describe the main types of mammalian muscles. 

– Compare the structure of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscle.  

– Distinguish between slow twitch and fast twitch fibers.  

– Demonstrate the structure and function of the sarcomere.  

– Demonstrate the laws of muscle contraction. 

– Distinguish between temporal summation and muscle fibre recruitment. 

– Explain the role of antagonistic muscles in a joint. 

– Adopt the practice of playing sport to develop healthy muscles and bones.  

– Appreciate the role of joints and muscles in bringing about movement. 

– Describe the ultrastructure of striated muscles with particular reference to the sarcomere structure.  

– Interpret the ultrastructure of striated muscle with particular reference to the sarcomere structure – Explain the sliding filament model of muscle contraction, including the roles of troponin, tropomyosin, calcium ions and ATP. 

– Explain the function of a motor unit/ neuromuscular junction/motor end plate. 

– Illustrate the sliding filament model of muscular contraction.