The Need to Move for Various Life Activities

Muscular System - an organ system, involved majorly in the movement of the body

Functions of Muscular System:

1. Maintain Posture
2. Movement
3. Blood Circulation
4. Respiration
5. Digestion
6. Regulation of Temperature

What makes up a muscle?

Actin and myosin are both proteins that are found in every type of muscle tissue. Thick myosin filaments
and thin actin filaments work together to generate muscle contractions and movement. Myosin is a type
of molecular motor and converts chemical energy released from ATP into mechanical energy. This
mechanical energy is then used to pull the actin filaments along, causing muscle fibers to contract and,
thus, generating movement.

Types of Muscles

1. Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles that we use to move our arms and legs. They are
attached to the skeleton and controlled by the brain. Here are some Examples related to skeletal
muscles: biceps, triceps, quadriceps
Functions:
 To move the bones by pulling on the tendons, to maintain posture, and to produce heat.
 Skeletal muscles are attached to the skeleton and controlled by the brain.
 There are three primary functions of skeletal muscle tissue: locomotion, posture
maintenance, and heat production.
 The ability to move from one place to another is called locomotion.
 Posture maintenance is keeping our bodies in correct positions, for example sitting up
straight.
 Heat production is generating heat energy which helps keep our internal temperature
stable.
2. Smooth muscle is found in organs such as the stomach and intestines and is also involuntary. It
contracts and relaxes to push food through the digestive system.
Functions:
 Smooth muscles are found in organs such as the stomach and intestines and are also
involuntary.

Cardiac muscle is found in the heart and is also involuntary. It contracts and relaxes to pump blood
around the body.
Functions:
 Cardiac muscles are found in the heart.
 It contracts and relaxes to pump blood around the body.