Science·Organisms & Life Processes·conceptual
Muscles Work in Pairs
Explain that muscles work in antagonistic pairs — one contracts while the other relaxes — to produce movement, using the bicep and tricep as a key example
Suggested ages 11–13
Evidence of understanding
- Explains why muscles can only pull, not push
- Describes what happens to the bicep and tricep when the arm is bent and straightened
- Gives another example of an antagonistic muscle pair
Assessment prompt
If Muscles Work in Pairs bent and straightened their arm, could they explain why two different muscles are needed — one to bend and one to straighten — and which muscle is which?
Standards alignment
KS3.Sci.Bio.SkeletalMuscular.3GB · uk-nc-2013
Function of muscles
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · KS3