Form 5

Chapter 11 Locomotion and Support

Objective Questions

1 Which of the following bone pairings allows for movement in all planes?
A Sternum and ribcage
B Femur and tibia
C Humerus and scapula
D Atlas and axial

2 Human movement requires antagonistic muscle pairings because

A bones require more support.
B very quick movement is required to carry out work.
C muscles are required to hold the bones together.
D muscles only work by the pulling method.

3 Figure 1 shows the human pelvic curve.

Figure 1
Name the part that forms a joint with the part labelled X and Y.
X Y
A Sacrum Femur
B Tibia Femur
C Femur Sacrum
D Femur Tibia

4 Figure 2 shows the general structure of the human vertebra.

Figure 2
What is the function of the part labelled P?
A To accommodate the spinal cord
B To provide support and to oppose compression forces
C For the placement of muscles
D To accommodate the artery
5 The human arm bone is connected to the axial bone through

1
 A pectoral curve
B pelvic curve
C sternum
D cervix

Questions 6 and 7 refer to Figure 3.

Figure 3 shows the elbow joint on the human arm.

Figure 3
6 The part labelled M represents
A tendon
B synovial membrane
C cartilage
D ligament

7 Name the parts that are labelled P, Q and R.

P Q R
A Humerus Ulna Radius
B Humerus Radius Ulna
C Ulna Radius Humerus
D Radius Humerus Ulna

8 All the following are characteristics of a good posture except

I the shoulder and waist curving slightly backwards when standing
II the body weight being supported evenly on the spinal column
III body in a straight condition with full support from the muscles
IV when standing, the head is lifted straight and balanced on the backbone
A I only
B I and IV only
C II and III only
D I, II and III only

9 Which of the following is the adaptation by a kangaroo towards movement on land?

I Its back can curve and straighten quickly

2
 II Big and straight hind legs
III Big and strong muscles
IV Body is in aerofoil shaped
A I only
B I and II only
C I and IV only
D I, II and III only

10 Which of the following is true about the body shape of a fish?

I The body sharpens towards the back.
II The body widens towards the front.
III The body is covered with scales.
IV The body is round-shaped at the front.
A I and III only
B I, II and III only
C I, II and IV only
D I, III and IV only

Structured Question
Figure 1 shows the joint between two vertebrae Y.
3
 (A) (B)
Figure 1

(a) (i) Name vertebra Y.

(ii) What is the function of the part labelled X?

(b) (i) In which part of the body can the type of joint in (A) be found?
(ii) If the joint at (A) is compared with the knee joint, explain one differentiating
characteristic between the two joints.

(c) Vertebrae connect to form a backbone column. What is the advantage of having a
backbone column compared with having only one bone for the whole vertebrae column?

(d) State two functions of the backbone column other than movement.

(e) Explain the main function of vertebra Q that is found on top of vertebra Y.

(f) State two effects that will be faced by a person that has a backbone column that is not
balanced with the head, and a decreased bone mass that is brittle.

Essay Question

(a) The muscles that move our body are usually paired and act antagonistically. Explain this
statement in connection with the movement of our lower arm.
(b) Explain the characteristics of adaptation that is made by the following animals to
facilitate movement in their habitats.
(i) Bird
(ii) Fish
(c) State the characteristics of a correct posture when we are standing and carrying heavy
things from the floor.

Answers

4
Objective Questions
1 C 6 C
2 D 7 B
3 A 8 C
4 B 9 A
5 A 10 C

Structured Question
(a) (i) Lumbar vertebra
(ii) Acts as a cushion to absorb shocks during movement

(b) (i) Waist

(ii) Bones that are connected at the knee joint are tied together by ligaments, while the
vertebra that is connected at (A) is tied by cartilage.

(c) Backbone column that has many vertebrae allows the backbone to be flexible

(d) 1 Provide support for the body

2 Protect the spinal cord

(e) Vertebra Q forms a joint with the rib bone to from the ribcage

(f) 1 Bad posture

2 Osteoporosis

Essay Question

(a) The role of muscles in the movement of the lower arm. The movement of the skeleton
occurs as a result the contraction of a pair of opposing muscles. When the biceps
muscle contracts, the triceps muscle relaxes at the same time. The biceps muscle is
fixed to the radius as well as scapula. The triceps muscle is fixed to the ulna as well as
the base of the humerus and scapula. As such, the contraction of the biceps will pull
the radius upwards to bend the arm, and the contraction of the triceps will pull the
ulna downwards to straighten the arm.

(b) (i) • The shape of the body that is aerofoil shaped reduces resistance. The
aerofoil shaped wing increases the lifting force.
• Hollow bones reduce body mass.
• Have singular organs such as a testis and a kidney to reduce body mass.
• Smooth feathers that are arranged in a posterior direction to reduce air friction and
drag.
• Big and strong pectoral muscle for wing movement.
• Have air sacs to increase the gas exchange efficiency.
• High body temperature sets a high metabolic rate.

(ii) • The shape of the body that is aerofoil shaped reduces water resistance.
• Slimy scales to reduce friction.

5
 • The movement of the tail produces a forward thrusting force.
• The pectoral fins stops movement.
• The dorsal fins prevent the fish from rolling.
• The pelvic fins prevent the fish from plunging.
• Sacs change the position in the water.

(c) Standing
 Body should be in a straight line that is from the head to the shoulder joint, hip joint,
knee joint until the heel.
 This is to ensure that the vertebral columns are nearly parallel to the vertical axis
 The body weight is well supported by the feet and is balanced along the axis

Lifting heavy objects

 When lifting heavy objects, the thorax and abdomen must be in line vertically
 Squat down with the arms extended straight downwards in order to lift the object
between the thighs
 Do not bend the backbone while lifting heavy objects because this will cause the load
of the objects to be exerted on the backbone