How do the bones, joints and muscles work together to produce movement?
The structure and function of the musculo-skeletal system: the major bones, the functions of the skeleton, the types of joint and synovial joint structure, the major muscles and antagonistic muscle pairs, and the types of muscle contraction.
A focused answer to Eduqas GCSE PE Component 1 on the musculo-skeletal system: the functions of the skeleton, the major bones and muscles, the structure of a synovial joint, joint types and the movements they allow, antagonistic muscle pairs, and isotonic and isometric contraction.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to know the functions of the skeleton, the major bones and muscles, the structure of a synovial joint, the types of joint and the movements they allow, antagonistic muscle pairs, and the types of contraction.
The functions of the skeleton
The major bones to know include the cranium, clavicle, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, ribs, vertebrae, pelvis, femur, patella, tibia, fibula and the bones of the hands and feet.
Joints and synovial joint structure
The type of joint controls the movements possible:
- Hinge joint (knee, elbow): allows flexion and extension only.
- Ball and socket joint (hip, shoulder): allows movement in all directions, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and rotation.
The major muscles and antagonistic pairs
The major muscles to know include the deltoid, pectorals, biceps, triceps, abdominals, latissimus dorsi, trapezius, gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius.
Types of muscle contraction
So isotonic contractions involve a change in muscle length and movement (concentric = shortening, eccentric = lengthening under tension), while isometric contractions produce force with no change in length and no movement.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas 20184 marksName the agonist and antagonist during the upward phase of a biceps curl, and explain what each muscle is doing.Show worked answer →
A Component 1 muscle question. Two marks for naming, two for the action.
Award marks for: during the upward (lifting) phase of a biceps curl the elbow flexes (bends). The biceps is the agonist (the muscle that contracts to cause the movement) and it contracts concentrically (shortens). The triceps is the antagonist (the opposing muscle) and it relaxes and lengthens. Muscles work in antagonistic pairs because muscles can only pull, not push, so one contracts while the other relaxes to allow the joint to move.
Markers reward correctly naming the agonist and antagonist and stating that the agonist contracts while the antagonist relaxes. Reversing the pair loses the marks.
Eduqas 20213 marksDescribe the structure of a synovial joint and explain how two of its features allow free, smooth movement.Show worked answer →
A 3-mark synovial-joint question. Markers reward named structures linked to their function.
Award marks for naming features and their roles: synovial fluid lubricates the joint to reduce friction so movement is smooth; cartilage on the ends of the bones provides a smooth surface and absorbs shock so the bones do not grind; the joint capsule and ligaments hold the joint together and keep it stable; the synovial membrane secretes the synovial fluid. A good answer names at least two features and links each to free, smooth or stable movement.
A top answer pairs each named structure with what it does, rather than just listing parts.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE (9-1) Physical Education C550QS specification — Eduqas (2016)