Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

47. Muscle Systems

Musculoskeletal System

General Biology

47. Muscle Systems

Musculoskeletal System

Previous problemNext problem

3:16 minutes

Problem 4

Textbook Question

Gravity would have the least effect on the movement of which of the following? (Explain your answer.)
a. A salmon
b. A snake
c. A sparrow
d. A grasshopper

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of gravity and its effect on organisms. Gravity is the force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth. The impact of gravity on movement depends on the organism's mode of locomotion and its interaction with the environment.

Step 2: Analyze the movement of a salmon. Salmon primarily move through water, where buoyancy counteracts gravity. This reduces the direct effect of gravity on their movement compared to terrestrial organisms.

Step 3: Analyze the movement of a snake. Snakes move on land using muscular contractions and friction with the ground. Gravity plays a significant role in their movement as they must overcome it to maintain contact with the surface.

Step 4: Analyze the movement of a sparrow. Sparrows are birds that fly, and while gravity affects their flight, they counteract it using lift generated by their wings. Gravity is a factor, but their ability to fly reduces its impact compared to terrestrial organisms.

Step 5: Analyze the movement of a grasshopper. Grasshoppers move by jumping, which requires them to overcome gravity during the upward motion. Gravity significantly affects their movement as they must exert force to propel themselves upward and then fall back down due to gravity.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above

Video duration:

Play a video:

Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Gravity

Gravity is a fundamental force that attracts objects with mass towards one another. On Earth, it affects all objects, but its impact varies based on the object's mass and the medium through which it moves. Understanding how gravity influences movement is crucial for analyzing the locomotion of different animals.

Body Mass and Size

The body mass and size of an organism play significant roles in how gravity affects its movement. Larger and heavier animals experience greater gravitational force, which can hinder their ability to move quickly or efficiently. In contrast, smaller animals may be less affected by gravity, allowing for more agile movement.

Locomotion Mechanisms

Different animals have evolved various locomotion mechanisms that can mitigate the effects of gravity. For instance, flying animals like sparrows utilize wings to counteract gravitational pull, while terrestrial animals like snakes and grasshoppers rely on their body structure and movement patterns. Understanding these mechanisms helps in assessing how gravity influences their movement.

Watch next

Master Muscle System and Skeleton with a bite sized video explanation from Jason

Start learning

Related Videos

Related Practice

Textbook Question

In muscle cells, myosin molecules continue moving along actin molecules as long as:

a. ATP is present and troponin is not bound to Ca²⁺.

b. ADP is present and tropomyosin is released from intracellular stores.

c. ADP is present and the intracellular acetylcholine level is high.

d. ATP is present and the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration is high.

1023

views

Textbook Question

During the contraction of a vertebrate skeletal muscle fiber, calcium ions

a. Break cross-bridges as a cofactor in hydrolysis of ATP

b. Bind with troponin, changing its shape so that the myosin-binding sites on actin are exposed

c. Transmit action potentials from the motor neuron to the muscle fiber

d. Spread action potentials through the T tubules

858

views

Textbook Question

Arm muscles and leg muscles are arranged in antagonistic pairs. How does this affect their functioning?

a. It provides a backup if one of the muscles is injured.

b. One muscle of the pair pushes while the other pulls.

c. A single motor neuron can control both of them.

d. It allows the muscles to produce opposing movements.

1342

views

Textbook Question

Which of the following is critical to the function of most exoskeletons, endoskeletons, and hydrostatic skeletons?

a. Muscles interact with the skeleton in antagonistic groups.

b. Muscles attach to each of these types of skeletons via tendons.

c. Muscles extend joints by pushing skeletal elements.

d. Segments of the body or limbs are extended when paired muscles relax in unison.

599

views

Textbook Question

Which of the following bones in the human arm corresponds to the femur in the leg?

a. Radius

b. Tibia

c. Humerus

d. Metacarpal

990

views

Textbook Question

How did data on sarcomere structure inspire the sliding-filament model of muscle contraction?

Explain why the observation that muscle cells contain many mitochondria and extensive smooth endoplasmic reticulum turned out to be logical once the molecular mechanism of muscular contraction was understood.

619

views

Textbook Question

Which of the following animals is correctly matched with its type of skeleton?

a. Fly—endoskeleton

b. Earthworm—exoskeleton

c. Lobster—exoskeleton

d. Bee—hydrostatic skeleton

1184

views

Textbook Question

Rigor mortis is the stiffening of a body after death that occurs when myosin binds to actin but cannot unbind. What prevents myosin from unbinding?