The Muscular System

The Muscular System Lab Project

Vinnette Doe

Stratford University

Anatomy and Physiology II

MED 210

Term 2

Assignment 6

Dr. Ostrander

April 16, 2022

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The Muscular System

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS

1. How do banding patterns change when a muscle contracts?

The occurrence of muscle contraction leads to a decrease in length of the actin and myosin
myofilaments, and this causes these two come close together. However, this causes the H zone
to narrow and shrink, but the A band does not change (Paulsen & Waschke, 2010).
2. What is the difference between a muscle organ, a muscle fiber, a myofibril, and a myofilament?
Muscle organ is made up of muscle tissues that hold together fibers and cells whose primary duty
is to produce movement of the body. A muscle fiber is a single muscle cell that has a nucleus. A
myofibril is a cylindrical or rod-like organelle that consists of both the myosin and action and is
found in striated muscle cells, and are also known as muscle contractile units. Myofilament is a
filament that makes up the myofibrils (Paulsen & Waschke, 2010; Netter, 2006; 2018).
3. Outline the molecular mechanism for skeletal muscle contraction. At what point is ATP used and
why?
Skeletal muscle contraction begins with myosin head binding to actin to form cross bridge. When
myosin head binds a new molecule of ATP, a disconnection takes place through the release of
actin and this leads to hydrolysis of ATP so that another round of interaction can begin. ATP is
the energy source for a short-term boost, and when hydrolyzed to ADP, a large amount of energy
is released (Netter, 2006; 2018)
4. Explain why rigor mortis occurs.
This muscle stiffness and occurs when muscle contract so that myosin and actin form cross bridges,
but since phosphate and ATP is not available to initiate a detachment of myosin, the muscle
remains contracted leading to rigidity or stiffness (Rohen et al., 2006; Agur & Dalley, 2009).

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EXPERIMENT 1: TENDONS AND LIGAMENTS

Post-Lab Questions

5. Identify the components in the slide image below based on your observations
from the experiment.

A__Chodrocytes_____

B_Collagen__

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6. Identify the components in the slide image below based on your observations
from the experiment.

A___Collagen fiber_____

B_Skeletal muscle fiber___

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 The Muscular System

7. Identify the components in the slide image below based on your observations from the
experiment.

A__Nuclei____________

B_Collagen fibers______________

8. How does the extracellular matrix of connective tissues contribute to its function?
The extracellular matrix act as the site for anchorage of cells, bind cells together, and
supports functions such as cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, and proliferation (Agur
& Dalley, 2009).
9. Why are tendons and ligaments difficult to heal?
The limited supply of blood in tendons and ligaments makes it difficult for them to heal
faster as opposed to muscles that have adequate blood supply, and this explains why it
takes longer for them to heal. Besides, activities that stimulate blood supply to the
tendons upon injury can also induce tension in the tendon tissues further causing a delay
in healing (Paulsen & Waschke, 2010)

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The Muscular System

10. What differences do you see between the tendon-muscle insertion images and the
tendon images?
Tendon-muscle is characterized by dense connective tissues that assume an irregular
arrangement, which may signify movement during contraction. While the tendon image is
characterized by a multi-nucleated smooth muscle tissue, and appears to go in one
direction, which may signify a lack of movement during contraction (Paulsen & Waschke,
2010; Agur & Dalley, 2009).
11. What differences do you see between the tendon and ligament images?
Ligament image appears more compact and closely connected as opposed to the tendon
image that appears separated.

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EXPERIMENT 2: THE NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION

Post-Lab Questions

12. Identify the axon, terminal branches, and muscle fibers in the slide image below. If
possible, trace the fiber to its terminus.

A. Muscle fibers
B. Axon
C. Terminal branches

13. Are there few or many nuclei at the end plate?

The end plate is multi-nucleated, it has many nuclei.
14. What is a motor neuron?
This is a neuronal cell of the central nervous system that controls activities of a muscle
fiber it supplies.
15. How is greater muscle force generated (in terms of motor unit recruitment)?
One motor nerve can branch to terminate in several muscle fibers so that when it is
activated all the muscle fibers that it innervates will be stimulated to undergo contraction.
This means that activation of one motor unit is likely to cause weak contraction, but when
the recruitment is higher the force of contraction becomes stronger (Netter, 2006; 2018;
Rohen et al., 2006).
16. What types of sensors are present within the muscle to identify how much force is generated?

Proprioceptors in the arms and legs gives information about limb position by supplying
data on muscle tension, muscle length and ankle joint

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EXPERIMENT 3: MUSCLE FATIGUE

Data Tables

Table 2: Experimental Counts

Post-Lab Questions

17. How did the predicted results compare to the actual results?

.My trials indicate that predicted values in trials 1-3 were similar to the actual results, but
trials 4-5 were not correct

18. Did you notice any changes in the number of repetitions you could perform or how your hand felt
after each trial?

The left hand felt fatigued at trial 3 and this meant that subsequent trials could have
resulted in inconsistent results.
19. Explain the actions that were occurring at the cellular level to produce this movement. Include
sources of energy and any possible effect of muscle fatigue.

Each trial involved muscle contraction, at cellular level this begun with myosin head
binding to actin to form cross bridge. When myosin head binds a new molecule of ATP, a
disconnection takes place through the release of actin and this leads to hydrolysis of ATP
so that another round of interaction can begin. ATP is the energy source for a short-term
boost, and when hydrolyzed to ADP, a large amount of energy is released. Exhaustion of
glucose for metabolism led anaerobic metabolism leading to the accumulation of lactic
acid (Paulsen & Waschke, 2010; Agur & Dalley, 2009)
20. Hypothesize what would happen if you restricted blood flow during the experiment.

A restricted supply of the blood to the hands would lead to me being unable to
move the hand.

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The Muscular System

EXPERIMENT 4: GROSS ANATOMY OF THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM

Data Tables

Table 3: Gross Anatomy Data

Movement Muscle(s) Activated Action(s) of Muscle(s)

Biceps brachii Flexion of the forearm and

Forearm Extended (Step 1) supinates the hand

Flexion of the wrist and

middle phalanes and
Fingers Extended and Splayed (Step 1) Extensor Digitorum: extends fingers

Extensor Digitorum Relaxation of the middle

Fingers Retracted (Step 1) phalanges

Extensor carpi radialis Abduction and extension of

Forearm Pressed Down Upon (Step 2) longus the wrist

Elbow Bent (Step 3) Triceps brachii Extension of the elbow

Suprasupinators and deltoid Involves in primary

Arm Raised to Side with Heavy Object (Step 4) abduction of the shoulder

Arm Extended Back with Heavy Object (Step Latissimus dorsi Extension of the shoulder
4)

Latissinus dorsi
lower your arms to your side Pectoralis major Abduction of shoulder

Bend hand towards forearm Wrist flexor Flexion of the wrist

Bend hand backwards Wrist extensor Extension of the wrist

Bending the elbow Bicep brachii Flexion of elbow

Levator scapulae
Lift shoulder to ears Upper trapezius Scapular elevation

Trapezius (upper and Upward rotation of the

Lifting arms above the head middle) scapulae

Pinching the shoulder blades together Rhomboid middle trapezius Abduction of scapular

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1. Label the human muscle diagram.

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 The Muscular System

Post-Lab Questions

A__Pectoralis major_______

B_Brachio radialis__

C_Gracilis ___

D__Biceps brachii____

E__Flexor carpi radialis___

F__No label indicated____

G__Rectus femoris__

H_Tabialis anterior__

22. Which muscle(s) were used to extend your arms backward?

triceps brachii

23. Which muscle(s) were used to extend and splay your fingers outward?
Extensor digitorum

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 The Muscular System

EXPERIMENT 5: BIODIGITAL DISSECTION – THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM

Images

Photo 1: Medial Muscles of the Upper Extremities (Paulsen & Waschke, 2010; Netter, 2006; 2018)

Photo 2: Upper Back and Shoulder (Paulsen & Waschke, 2010; Netter, 2006; 2018)

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 The Muscular System

Photo 3: Abdominal and Intercostal Muscles (Netter, 2006; 2018)

Photo 4: Superficial Muscles of the Lower Limb (Netter, 2006; 2018)

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 The Muscular System

Photo 5: Additional Muscles of the Lateral Lower Extremity (Netter, 2006; 2018)

Photo 6: Superficial Muscles of the Medial Thigh (Netter, 2006; 2018)

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 The Muscular System

Photo 7: Muscles of the Medial Lower Extremity (Rohen et al., 2006; Agur & Dalley, 2009)

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The Muscular System

Post-Lab Questions

1. How many layers of abdominal muscle are there?

The muscles are lined as follows from the interiorly: transverse abdominal muscle, internal
oblique muscle, external oblique muscle, and rectus abdominal muscles (Agur & Dalley, 2009).
2. What direction does the muscle fibers of the external oblique run?
They run medially and inferiorly
3. Why are muscle fibers considered excitable?
The ability of a muscle to respond to a stimulus and transmit action potential makes them
excitable.
4. Why is it important to have both flexors and extensors?
Because they are consecutively involved in the coordination of movements in multiple directions,
for instance, when flexors contract leading to the bending of limb at a joint to cause movement it
relaxes and extensors comes on board to contract leading to extension or straightening of the
limb (Paulsen & Waschke, 2010; Netter, 2006; 2018).
5. How can muscle mass be influenced by training or age?
The number of muscle remains the same with age and training, but the muscle mass is likely to
change. As age progresses adults are likely to lose muscles. The level of activities increases the
muscle mass as well due to increased levels of protein resulting in muscle increase (Netter, 2006;
2018; Rohen et al., 2006).

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 The Muscular System

Reference:
Agur, A. M., & Dalley, A. F. (2009). Grant's atlas of anatomy. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Netter, F. H. (2006). Atlas of human anatomy. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders. Elsevier, 548, 547. https://b-
ok.africa/book/1189803/71308b
Netter, F. H. (2018). Atlas of Human Anatomy: Latin Terminology E-Book: English and Latin Edition.
Elsevier Health Sciences. https://b-ok.africa/book/17433678/457e10
Paulsen, F., & Waschke, J. (2010). Sobotta: Atlas of Human Anatomy. Volume 1, General Anatomy and
Musculoskeletal System. https://b-ok.africa/book/2722043/c47ee5
Rohen, J. W., Yokochi, C., & Lütjen-Drecoll, E. (2006). Color atlas of anatomy: a photographic study of
the human body. Schattauer Verlag.

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2016