Locomotion and Movement

1. Draw the diagram of a sarcomere of skeletal muscle showing different regions.

Solu on:

2. Define sliding filament theory of muscle contraction.

Solution: According to sliding filament theory of muscle contraction, the actin and myosin filaments slide
past each other with the help of cross-bridges to reduce the length of the sarcomeres.

3. Describe the important steps in muscle contrac on.

Solu on: Mechanism of muscle contrac on is explainei by sliding filament theory which states that
contrac on of a muscle fibre takes place by the sliding of the thin filaments over the th’ ck filaments. As a
nerve impulse reaches the terminal end of the axon, synap c vesicles fuse with the axon membrane and
release a chemical transmi er, acetylcholine and binds to receptor sites of the motor end plate. When
depolariza on of the motor end plate reaches a certain level, it creates an ac on poten al. An ac on
poten al (impulse) passes from the motor end plate over the sarcolemma and then into the T-tubules and
sarcoplasmic re culum and s mulates the sarcoplasmic re culum to release calcium ions into the
sarcoplasm. The calcium ions bind to troponin causing a change in its shape and posi on. This in turn
alters shape and the posi on of tropomyosin, to which troponin binds. This shi exposes the ac ve sites
on the F-ac n molecules. Myosin cross-bridges are then able to bind to these ac ve sites. The heads of
myosin molecules project laterally from thick myofilaments towards the surrounding thin myofilaments.
These heads are called cross bridges. The head of each myosin molecule contains an enzyme mysoin
ATPase. In the presence of myosin ATPase,Ca++ and Mg++ ions, ATP breaks down into ADP and inorganic
phosphate, releasing energy in the head.
Energy from ATP causes energized myosin cross bridges to bind to ac n.

The energized cross-bridges move, causing thin myofilaments to slide along the thick myofilaments.
4. Write true or false. If false change the statement so that it is true.
(a) Actin is present in thin filament.
(b) H-zone of striated muscle fibre represents both thick and thin filaments.
(c) Human skeleton has 206 bones.
(d) There are 11 pairs of ribs in man.
(e) Sternum is present on the ventral side of the body.
Solution: (a) True
(b) False – H-Zone of striated muscle fibres represents only thick filaments.
(c) True
(d) False – There are 12 pairs of ribs in man.
(e) True

5. Write the differences between:

(a) Actin and Myosin
(b) Red and White muscles
(c) Pectoral and Pelvic girdle
Solution: (a) Actin filaments and myosin filaments can be differentiated as follows:
(b) Differences between red muscle fibres and white muscle fibres are given in the following table:
(c) Differences between pectoral and pelvic girdles are given in the following table:
6. Match Column I with Column II:
Column I Column II
(a) Smooth muscle (i) Myoglobin
(b) Tropomyosin (ii) Thin filament
(c) Red muscle (iii) Sutures
(d) Skull (iv) Involuntary
Solution.(a) – (iv), (b)-(ii), (c)-(i), (d)-(iii)

7. What are the different types of movements exhibited by the cells of human body?
Solution: The cells of human body show three types of movements: amoeboid, ciliary and muscular.
Amoeboid movements: These are found in leucocytes of blood and phagocytes of certain body organs. In
such cells, movements are brought with the help of temporary finger-like cytoplasmic projections, called
pseudopodia or false feet. So it is also called pseudopodial movement. These pseudopodia are formed by
flow of cytoplasm, called cyclosis (simplest form of movement), and cytoskeletal structures like
microfilaments.
Ciliary movements: Large number of our internal tubular organs are lined by ciliated epithelium. For
instance, the cilia of the cells lining the trachea, oviducts and vasa efferen a propel dust par cles, eggs
and sperms respec vely by their coordinated movements in specific direc ons in these organs. Muscular
movements: These are brought about by the ac on of skeleton, joints and muscles. These are of two
types: movements of body parts and locomo on.

8. How do you distinguish between a skeletal muscle and a cardiac muscle?

Solution: We can distinguish between a skeletal muscle and a cardiac muscle on the basis of the features
discussed in the following table:

9. Name the type of joint between the following:

(a) atlas/axis
(b) carpal/metacarpal of thumb
(c) between phalanges
(d) femur/acetabulum
(e) between cranial bones
(f) between pubic bones in the pelvic girdle
Solution: (a) Pivot joint
(b) Saddle joint
(c) Hinge joint
(d) Ball and socket joint
(e) Fibrous joint
(f) Cartilaginous joint

10. Fill in the blank spaces:

(a) All mammals (except a few) have……. cervical vertebra.
(b) The number of phalanges in each limb of human is…….
(c) Thin filament of myofibril contains two ‘F’ actins and two other proteins namely…….and…….
(d) In a muscle fibre Ca++ is stored in …….
(e)…….and…….pairs of ribs are called floating ribs.
(f) The human cranium is made of……. bones.
Solution: (a) 7
(b) 14
(c) tropomyosin, troponin
(d) sarcoplasmic reticulum
(e) 11th and 12th
(f) 8

Q.1. List the name of the human body cells/tissues that:

a) Display ameboid movement
b) Display ciliary movement
A.1. a) Macrophages and leucocytes. Cytoskeletal elements such as microfilaments are involved too. b)
They mostly occur in internal organs that are lined by the ciliated epithelium. Cilia in the trachea, Ciliated
epithelium in the fallopian tube.

Q.2. A complete coordinated activity of muscular _______, _________ systems leads to locomotion.
A.2. Skeletal system and neural systems.

Q.3. Name the cell referring to sarcoplasm, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and sarcolemma. Also, list the parts
of cells that refer to these names.
A.3. Each muscle cell or fibre is lined by the plasma membrane known as the sarcolemma which contains
the sarcoplasm. A muscle fibre is a syncytium as the sarcoplasm possesses many nuclei. The sarcoplasmic
reticulum of the muscle fibres stores calcium ions.
Q.4. Mark the components of the actin filament in the diagram given below:

A.4. Troponin, Tropomyosin, F-actin.

Q.5. List the correct order of the middle ear bones called ear ossicles starting from the eardrum.
A.5. Malleus, incus, and stapes.

Q.6. State the difference between the matrix of bones and cartilage.
A.6. The matrix of bones has an inflexible material called the ossein and contains calcium salts whereas
the matrix of cartilage has a flexible material, the chondrin and may or may not have calcium salts.

Q.7. Where in the body is the ball and socket joint present?
A.7. They are present between the humerus and pectoral girdle – the shoulder joints, hip joints, and
femur bone in the socket of the pelvic girdle.

Q.8.What is locomotion?

A.8. Locomotion is the ability of an organism to move from one place to another place.

Q.9.What are the different types of locomotion in humans?

A.9.Walking, running, swimming, and jumping are different types of locomotion.

Q.10.How is locomotion different from movement?

A.10. Locomotion is the displacement of a body from one place to another. On the contrary, movement is
the displacement of a body or a part of the body from its original position.

Q.1. Define the following terms with respect to the rib cage:
a) Bicephalic ribs
c) True ribs
c) Floating ribs
A.1. a) Each rib has two articulating surfaces on its dorsal end and is referred to as bicephalic ribs. b)
These are the first seven pairs of ribs which are ventrally attached to the sternum with the assistance of
hyaline cartilage and dorsally appended to the thoracic vertebrae. c) They are the last two pairs of ribs
and are not attached ventrally to the sternum hence the name.

Q.2. Old people usually suffer from inflamed and stiff joints, name the condition. State the reasons for the
symptoms.
A.2. This condition is known as Arthritis. It is also referred to as Joint Pain or Joint Disease. The chances of
arthritis increase with old age. Arthritis is caused when there is a wearing away of the cartilage that caps
the bones in the joint.

Q.3. List two hormones causing fluctuation of Ca++ level.

A.3. Parathyroid hormone and Calcitonin.

Q.4. What is Gout?

A.4. It is the inflammation of the joints which is produced due to the buildup of uric acid crystals in the
synovial joints which causes movement to become painful and difficult.

Q.5. What is the significance of locomotion in animals?

A.5. In animals, locomotion plays an important role in helping them to move from one place to another.
Animals move for many reasons to support their living. Therefore they walk, run, jump, fly, swim
and escape from their predators.

Q.6. Where do muscle contractions derive their energy from?

A.6. From ATP. Every myosin molecule contains myosin ATPase, an enzyme at its head. In the presence of
this enzyme along with Ca2+, Mg2+ ions, the inorganic phosphate, and ADP it is disintegrated by ATP to
release energy from the myosin head. This energy causes myosin to cross bridges to bind to actin. These
cross-bridges that are energized, move, resulting in the sliding of thin myofilaments with the thick
myofilaments, thereby causing muscle contraction.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q.1. Does calcium ion concentration in blood cause tetany in some cases? Compare fluctuation in blood
calcium with tetany.
A.1. In the regulation of muscle contraction, calcium plays a significant role. The parathyroid
hormone (PTH) that is secreted by the parathyroid gland increases the calcium level in the blood. In
hypoparathyroidism (PTH deficiency), the level of calcium in the blood dips which causes an increase in
the excitability of muscles and nerves resulting in convulsions and cramps. It also produces sustained
contractions of the muscles of the face, hands, feet, and larynx. This disorder is referred to as parathyroid
tetany.

Q.2. How does the slipped disc affect the lower back and overall health?
A.2. The bones are protected by the intervertebral discs that are situated in between the vertebrae. They
absorb the shocks from everyday activities such as lifting, walking, and twisting. Each of the vertebral
discs has two parts, one is the soft inner portion that is gelatinous and the other is a tough outer ring. In
case of any weakness or injury, the inner part protrudes through the outer ring and is called the slipped
disc which can cause added pressure on the muscles and nerves surrounding it and affects the health in
ways listed below:

 Numbness and pain in one side of the body

 Pain that intensifies at night
  Induces pain that can spread up to the legs and arms
 Produces pain after walking or sitting
 An unexplained weakness of the muscles
 Burning sensation, aching, tingling in the area affected.
If left untreated, the slipped disc can cause severe damage to the nerves which can be permanent. In
some cases, it can cause the nerve impulses to cut off to cauda equina nerves in the legs and lower back
which can result in loss of bladder control.

Q.3. Describe the significance of Ca2+ ions in the contraction of muscles.

A.3. Calcium plays a key role in the muscle contraction process. During contraction of muscles, from the
motor endplate, an action potential passes over the sarcolemma and further into the T-tubules and
sarcoplasmic reticulum and triggers it to produce Ca2+ ions into the sarcoplasm. The binding of calcium
ions to the troponin causes its shape and position to change which in turn modifies the position and
shape of tropomyosin that binds the troponin. This shift presents the active sites on the molecule, F-actin
which prompts the myosin cross-bridges to bind to these active sites.

Q.4. State the differences between the pectoral and pelvic girdle.
A.4. Both structures are known to provide support to the lower and upper parts of the body. Following
are the differences:

Pectoral Girdle Pelvic Girdle

It is called a shoulder girdle as it

It is called the hip girdle as it occurs in the hip region.
occurs in the shoulder region.

It is divided into two parts – One One pelvic girdle is formed by two innominate bones where each
scapula and one clavicle. bone has 3 parts – ilium, pubis, and ischium.

Not articulated with the vertebral

Articulated with the vertebral column.
column.
 Articulation of the axial skeleton and The innominate at its mid-lateral surface has a deep cup-shaped
upper limb is brought about by the acetabulum where the head of the femur connects the two parts of
clavicle and scapula. the pelvic girdle for the formation of the pubic symphysis.

Associated bones are light and not

Associated bones are hard and subjected to much stress.
subjected to much stress.

Functions – lifting, holding, etc. Functions – standing, running, jumping, etc.

Q.5.What are the different types of movements?

A.5. Movement is a process of changing position or location. Different organisms have different types
of movements.

Based on the mode of locomotion, movements are of three types:

1. Amoeboid movement: This movement is the most common mode of locomotion in all eukaryotic
cells. This type of movement takes place in the phagocytes of a cell and is most commonly seen in
amoeba.
2. Ciliary and flagellar movement: This movement occurs in internal tubular organs which are lined
by ciliary epithelium. Some of our internal tubular organs exhibit ciliary movement.

3. Muscular Movement: This is a more complex movement which involves muscle fibres, which have
the ability to contract and relax. This type of movement is seen in all higher vertebrates.