1. The Muscular System

2. Major Functions  Creates movements.  Protects the organs.  Pumping of the blood.  Easing of blood flow.  Helps with digestion because of smooth muscles.

3. How They Work + Locations  Skeletal Muscle- Usually located where the tendons are attached. Connects to skeleton, helps move.  Smooth Muscles- Located in hollow organs, or the veins. Contracts and moves without your control.  Cardiac Muscles-Located on the walls of the heart. Causes the heart to pump and beat.

4. Muscle Diagram Muscles Cramps- Painful contractions on the muscles. To avoid it, keep your body hydrated. Muscular Dystrophy- Involves muscle weakness and lost of tissue, gets worse over time. Can’t be prevented because it is a genetic disorder. Muscle Atrophy- Wasting or losing muscle tissue. To avoid, do some weight training or getting a lot more active. Cerebral Palsy- Damage to the brain before childbirth that causes a loss of muscle tone. A way to avoid is by having a healthy diet and taking vitamins, if pregnant.

5. Working in Pairs  The triceps and biceps work together to bend and straighten the elbow. When the biceps are contracted, the tricep is made longer so it can stretch farther making the elbow bend. They both can’t stretch on their own, that’s why and how they work together.

6. Team Work  Body systems work and help out other body systems.  The muscle system works with the digestive system by having smooth muscles. Found in the stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum.  Works with the circulatory system because the cardiac muscle pumps the heart.  Works with the nervous system because it protects the impulses sent down through the body from the brain.

7. Fun Facts  There are muscles in the root of your hair, that gives you the goose bumps.  The hardest working muscle is the eye.  The largest muscle is the gluteus maximus.  Takes 17 muscle to smile and 42 muscles to frown.

8. Sources Paradoja7.com Bbc.co.uk Human Muscle System Education.com Rsd.edu HealthCentral.com Livescience.com