Comparative Anatomy (3 of 8): Muscle & Movement

Lesson Title: Comparative Anatomy (3 of 8): Muscles and Movement

Academic Standards: HS-LS1-2

Content Creator: Mrs. Wendy Martin

Level: High School

Duration: 30-40 min

Home / Comparative Anatomy (3 of 8): Muscles and Movement

Objectives

Students will understand the overall function of a muscular system.
Students will learn the three types of muscle tissue and their location in the human body.
Students will observe how the muscular siphon allows squid movement.
Students will observe how the water vascular system controls starfish movement.
Students will identify the fins of a shark and learn their role in movement.
Students will compare a pig and cat skeleton.
Students will handle and manipulate the discussed specimens.

Description

Muscle tissue is a defining characteristic of animals. The muscular system allows all animals to move at some point in their life. There are three types of muscle tissue:smooth, cardiac, and skeletal, each with a unique function. In this comparative anatomy lesson, students will explore the different types of skeletal muscular systems and movements in five specimens: a starfish, a squid, a dog shark, a pig, and a cat. The lesson will include a discussion of how the animals movement relates to its lifestyle. Students will handle and manipulate the discussed specimens.

Sequence

Show Muscular System Formation video.
Discuss the function of the muscular system in general.
Discuss the three types of tissue and show an example of a human organ that has each: smooth (stomach and esophagus), cardiac (muscle), and skeletal (show a bone).
Discuss starfish movement and water vascular system.
Show starfish galloping video.
Allow students to hold a starfish; also have a large one above their heads so they can see the tube feet.
Discuss squid movement and the siphon.
Show squid video.
Allow students to hold a squid; also have a large one above their heads so they can see the siphon.
Discuss a shark's muscle types and fins.
Allow students to hold the shark and point out the fins and their role in movement.
Discuss mammal skeletons.
Compare pig and cat skeletons. Make them larger than life so they are easy for all to see.
End lesson with a 360* excursion in a coral reef searching for an octopus, a squid's relative.