Year 10 - Physical education
Muscles and antagonistic pairs
Anatomy and physiology: the musculoskeletal system
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit will examine the structure and function of both the skeletal and the muscular systems. It includes locating major bones and muscles before defining and analysing what movements are possible at different joints.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to label the major muscles of the body and describe how antagonistic pairs work together to produce movement.
Key Notes
- The upper body contains muscles such as the deltiod, biceps, triceps, pectorals and abdominals and latissimus dorsi.
- The lower body contains muscles such as the gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius.
- Muscles are attached to bones by tendons.
- Muscles contract and relax to move bones in antagonistic pairs.
- As one muscle contracts (agonist/prime mover), the other relaxes (antagonist).
Vocabulary To Learn
- agonist: the muscle, or group of muscles, that works to create the movement
- antagonist: the muscle that works in the opposite way of the agonist
- fixator: a muscle which acts as the stabiliser and helps the agonist work effectively
- antagonistic pair: a pair of muscles that work together to produce movement - one contracts whilst the other relaxes
- tendon: a tough yet flexible band of fibrous tissue tissue that attaches muscle to bone
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Muscles can pull and push.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The upper body contains muscles such as the deltiod, biceps, triceps, pectorals and abdominals and latissimus dorsi. The lower body contains muscles such as the gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'agonist'
the muscle, or group of muscles, that works to create the movement.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Muscles can pull and push. Correction: Muscles are only able to pull, they work in antagonistic pairs so one muscle can contract to create a movement whilst the other relaxes in opposition and then their roles are reversed to move back.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Bones and structure of the skeleton Study Guide
- Classification of bones Study Guide
- Classification of bones applied to performance in physical activities and sports Study Guide
- Classification of joints Study Guide
- Different joints and their movements Study Guide
- Joints and their movements Study Guide
- Movements possible at different joints Study Guide
- Muscles of the body and antagonistic pairs Study Guide
- Structure and function of the skeleton Study Guide
- Structure of a synovial joint Study Guide
- Synovial joint structure and function Study Guide
- The functions of the skeleton Study Guide
- Types of muscle and muscle fibre Study Guide
- Types of muscle contraction (isometric, concentric and eccentric) Study Guide
- Voluntary muscles and antagonistic pairs Study Guide
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