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  • Activity 3A: Levers in the Body: They Are Not What You Might Think!

Activity 3A: Levers in the Body: They Are Not What You Might Think!

Students will be surprised to learn that the levers in their arm don’t behave as expected! They will use a model of the human arm, including an artistically modified scapula, humerus, radius and ulna. After measuring the weight of the forearm on their model with a spring scale, they will assemble the bones so that the elbow joint is movable. Once students have assembled the model, they will attach string “biceps and triceps muscles” to the model at origin points labeled on the model. An approximation of the actual insertion point will be labeled on the model and the other end of the string “muscle” attached to that location. The student will then investigate how the biceps muscle operates the joint as a lever system, exploring angles and the resistance and effort forces. Next, students will move the insertion point of the string muscle to examine how the lever system changes. Both the triceps and biceps will be studied in this part of the activity. Finally, using body segment weight percentages, students will relate their findings to their own bodies.
 
Objectives: 
  • Investigate lever systems in the human body
  • Observe how muscles and bones work together to move joints
  • Compare arm anatomy to model
  • Explain that muscles must pull against the weight of various body segments (resistance)
  • Distinguish between joint flexion and extension
  • Observe that muscles can work only by pulling (contracting)
  • Graph and analyze results
  • PDF icon Teacher Background Information 3A
  • PDF icon Teacher Administrative Information 3A
  • PDF icon Teacher Key for Part A 3A
  • PDF icon Student Background Information 3A
  • PDF icon Student Arm Model Pattern 3A
  • PDF icon Part A Concept Mapping - Student Data Page 3A
  • PDF icon Part B Examining Joint Angle - Student Data Pages 3A
  • PDF icon Part C Measuring Forces (Biceps) - Student Data Pages 3A
  • PDF icon Part D Examine Pulley System (Triceps) - Student Data Page 3D
  • PDF icon Part E Applying What You Learned to Your Own Body - Student Data Pages 3A
  • PDF icon Pre/PostTest Discrepant Design Levers 3A
  • PDF icon Pre/Post Answer Sheet Discrepant Design Levers 3A
Keywords: 

Lever, system, muscle, bone, joint, flexion, extension, contract, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, forearm, scale, elbow, bicep, tricep, percentage, fulcrum, effort, resistance

 

Activity Icon - %2
Activity Code: 
3A
Unit Reference: 
Discrepant Design: Levers in the Body
Lesson Reference: 
Lesson 1: Levers in the Human Body
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