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The scene takes the form of a gym where an athlete shows off the structure and function of skeletal muscles. By observing a pair of antagonistic pairs of muscles, contracting and relaxing bicep and triceps, the structure of the muscles can be seen. Students will also explore the muscle filaments that generate the contraction of the bicep known as the sliding filament theory.
# Learning objectives
1: Be able to describe the structure of a typical muscle.{.info}
2: Be able to describe how antagonistic muscles work.{.info}
3: Be able to explain how a contraction is achieved using the sliding filament model{.info}
# Structure of the Muscles{.objective .objective1}
In this section, the structure of muscles is outlined and illustrated. Muscles are a bundle of individual myofibrils, which are contractile units. These bundle together to form muscle fibres, which in turn bundle together to form larger units called fascicles. The organisation is key to their function to contract.
# How Muscles Work{.objective .objective2}
In this section, how movement is generated by contracting muscles is described. Muscles are attached to the skeleton, across joints by tendons. As muscles contract they create a specific movement across the specific joint they are associated with. To ensure a full range of movement, all skeletal muscles are antagonistic pairs. When one muscle contracts and flexes a joint, the antagonistic muscle is responsible for extending the same joint.
# Sliding Filament Model{.objective .objective3}
In this section, the function of a muscle is described down to the myofibril level. Looking closely at the single contractile unit, the contraction can be explained by observing the sliding filament model in the athletes arm. Overlapping protein fibres, actin and myosin, slide over each other as myosin heads attach and pull the actin fibres over them.
# Teacher Resources
### Download Teacher Notes
[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/792401/files/How%20our+Muscles+Work+Teacher+Notes+Only.pdf?date=1676379034&size=995578&md5=b62cf6af8337c87cf3499d3487dbe557)
### Student Quiz Answers Document
[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/792402/files/How%20our+Muscles+Work+Quiz+Answers.pdf?date=1676379146&size=531762&md5=8b14d893c02b8fbb38732ed598bcae8c)
### Download Student Quiz Document
[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/792403/files/How%20our+Muscles+Work+Quiz+Only.pdf?date=1676379237&size=95642&md5=4f33a19ad107704eb79d334cfb08d58d)
