RESULTS

PART A

Table 1: Length of Biceps Brachii Muscle

Biceps Brachii Muscle Length Right Muscle Length Left Average (Mean)
Status Arm Arm Muscle Length
Relaxed Length 28.4 cm 29.3 cm 28.85 cm
Contracted Length 31.4 cm 33.2 cm 32.3 cm

Table 2: Circumference of Biceps Brachii Muscle

Biceps Brachii Muscle Muscle Average (Mean)

Status Circumference Right Circumference Left Muscle
Arm Arm Circumference
Relaxed 35.6 cm 38.1 cm 36.85 cm
Circumference
Contracted 39.6 cm 43.4 cm 41.5 cm
Circumference

PART B

Table 3: Effect of Temperature on Hand Muscle Action

Air Water Number of Fists Number of Fists Difference in

Temperature Temperature Made at Air Made at Water Number of Fists
Around Hand Around Hand Temperature Temperature Made
180C 29.40C 67 84 17

PART C

Table 4: Effect of Fatigue on Hand Muscle Action

Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Trial Mean
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
27 29 32 35 24 35 41 36 44 40 34.3

Biology 2401 LEAPs Muscle Laboratory Page 1 of 3

ANALYSIS OF DATA
 
1. Three Physical Changes in The Biceps Brachii Muscle When It Contracts Versus When
It Is Relaxed

A. First physical change was - The brachii muscle of my arm got tighter

B. Second physical change was -The muscles started to increase in the temperature and
became warmer

C. Third physical change was - Stiffness in the muscles got increased that resulted in
problem in movement of the hand.

2. Explain why the biceps brachii muscle shortened when it contracted.

Due to the contraction of the biceps brachii, when the forearm is moved closer to the body, the
inclination of the elbow joint decreases. The brachii of the biceps contracts when sarcomeres in
its muscle fibers shrink and cross-bridges develop; the myosin heads hold the actin in this
position. When the muscular tension decreases and the muscle lengthens, this is referred to as an
eccentric contraction. During this procedure, the hand weight is gradually reduced in a
methodical and regulated way as the quantity of cross-bridges generated by central nervous
stimulation diminishes.
In this instance, when pressure is removed first from biceps brachii, the inclination of the elbow
joint is pushed slightly outward. Eccentric impulses are also employed for the sake of movement
and body equilibrium. It is the contraction of the biceps brachii that pushes on the diameter and
causes it to be pulled to the outside. This makes your palm appear forward again backward.
When you bend your elbow with your palm pointing forward, you are said to be in forearm
flexion. Allow one arm to dangle freely with the palm of your hand facing front.

3. What effect did the cold temperature in Part B have on the action of your hand
muscles?

It made them lock up and hard to move. since in order to get oxygenated blood to the hands, the
radial artery and the ulnar artery was crossed. Cold temperatures induce the muscles around
these veins to contract, resulting in an increase in blood flow. So that the brain can save heat and
keep essential organs like the lungs and heart safe, this is an appropriate reaction.

4. What does the graph show about the results of the experiment in Part C?

Biology 2401 LEAPs Muscle Laboratory Page 2 of 3

 Part C
50
45 44
41 40
40
35 35 36
35 32
30 29
27
25 24

20
15
10
5
0
No. of squeezing the ball

Trail 1 Trail 2 Trial 3 Trail 4 Trail 5 Trial 6 Trail 7 Trail 8 Trial 9 Trial 10
 

The graph above shows the number of times I was able to squeeze the tennis ball after my hands were
warmed up. These numbers indicate that at first I was able to squeeze the ball 27 times that gradually
increased till the 4th trial. However, after that for the fifth trial my bicep muscles started to fatigue thus
resulted in squeezing the ball 24 times that is less than the amount of the first trial. After that from the 6 th
trial my muscle again gained the pace and help me doing 41, 36, 44 then 40 squeezes.

Biology 2401 LEAPs Muscle Laboratory Page 3 of 3