This document covers the criteria of P2 - describe the structure and
function of the muscularskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems
AND half of the part of P3
The muscular system - structure and function
The muscular system is responsible for the movement of the human body. Attached
to the bones of the skeletal system. Muscles have loads of protein molecules that
work together to produce motion in the body. The muscle tissue composes 50% of
our body weight. The human body has over 600 muscles that work in pairs and
these pairs consist of the agonist. An example of this is the arm, it moves by the
bicep muscle working against the triceps muscle.
Functions
Provides movement - this is where you can change your position and move around
as the actions of the muscles allow you to do that.
Maintain posture - this where the actions of your muscle keep you on your feet and
don’t make you fall to the ground. Standing upright is very hard for your body
because gravity always pulls you down. The reason you don’t actually fall down to
the ground is because of the actions of your muscles.
Regulate blood flow - Your heart (a muscle) pumps blood around your body in
accordance of your needs. Your heart rate will increase if you are in need of more
oxygen to get to the muscles to make them work harder.
Produce heat - The action of your muscles produces heat and this is the reason you
get hot whilst engaging in a physical activity.
Support the skeleton - In a way, muscles tie the skeleton together. There are
muscle attachment points in all joints and this make sures that the bones stay in
position.
Digestion and waste removal - Food moves through our body via the digestive
system and eliminates waste due to the muscle action.
The human body has 3 types of muscle tissues
Cardiac muscle
The Heart is the cardiac muscle which has the purpose of pumping oxygenated
blood and to remove the deoxygenated blood from the body. The heart is controlled
by the autonomic nervous system.
Smooth muscle
The smooth muscle makes up the large part of our internal organs such as the veins
and bladder. It works without having a conscious thought on a automatic basis.
Skeletal muscle
This muscle in the human body makes up about 40% of the male adults body weight.
It is composed of large cells bound together in bundles. The muscles is presented by
the nerves system that connects them to a spinal cord and the brain. Skeletal bones
are attached to the bones by tendons.
Types of muscle fibres
There are 2 different types of muscle fibres. Fast twitch and slow twitch.
1. Fast twitch - very efficient at using oxygen to create more ATP for continual
physical activity over a long amount of time.
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