Name: _________________________

Hour: ___ Date: ____________

Muscle Contraction WebQuest

Introduction
Welcome: Skeletal Muscle Contraction-Spinach Connection
Description: Learn the anatomy and physiology of a muscle contraction using
animations. Project-based assessment concludes the WebQuest.
Grade Level: 9-12
Curriculum: Anatomy
Task 1: Review of muscle contraction concepts.
Watch the following animations in order and then answer the questions that follow.
Neuromuscular junction
1. What causes voltage-gated calcium ion channels to open?
2. Calcium moving into the neuron causes vesicles to release a neurotransmitter. Whats the
name of this neurotransmitter?
3. What is the name of the enzyme that breaks down Ach?
Action Potentials and Muscle Contractions
4. Explain what you think a neuromuscular junction is.

5. What is the name of the protein that covers up the myosin binding sites on actin?
6. Create an analogy that describes the role of troponin & tropomyosin.

7. How would you describe a cross-bridge?

Breakdown of ATP and Cross-Bridge Movement during Muscle Contraction

Muscular System, Sliding Filament Theory 1
8. What is the connective tissue that connects muscle to bone called?
9. What is the connective tissue that separates bundles of muscle fibers?
10.

What is the connective tissue that separates individual muscle fibers?

Muscular System, Sliding Filament Theory 2

11.
Why do you think the mechanism of muscle contraction is referred to as the
Sliding Filament Theory?

12.

Do muscles get longer or shorter when they contract?

Task 2: Summary animation with self-quizzes.

Watch the following animation and answer the three questions below by completing
the quiz part of the tutorial.
Muscle Contraction Summary & Quiz
13.

The sliding filament theory states that, during muscle contraction and relaxation,
a. Actin & myosin filaments shorten, then lengthen
b. Actin & myosin filaments change positions relative to one another
c. Troponin & Tropomyosin slide past one another
14.
During muscle contraction, calcium ions bind to
a. Troponin
b. Tropomyosin
c. Actin
d. Myosin
15.
After a myosin head has performed a power stroke, it must first bind to ________ in
order to perform another power stroke.
a. Actin
b. Troponin
c. Tropomyosin
d. ATP
Task 3-Popeyes muscle contraction-spinach connection

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/popeyespinach-stronger-study-shows-article-1.1102606
Watch the following cartoon excerpt

http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/nutritious_foods_for_a_healthy_body/bone_builder_spinach.php?page=1

Popeye Cartoon -theme song

Using your knowledge of muscles and how they work, explain in 250 words or less the reason for Popeye's
obsession with spinach. This should be typed using 12 pt Arial font, double-spaced, printed and stapled to your
WebQuest questions which will be turned in with your presentation.
Task 4: Project/Evaluation
In this WebQuest project, you will choose one of the following projects to complete.
Option 1: (1 to 2 members in a group) Construct a working model to demonstrate the sliding
filament theory and be able to identify the parts and demonstrate your model to the class
without notes or cue cards.
Option 2: (3-5 members in a group) As a group, act out a play demonstrating what happens at
the neuromuscular junction. Include up to the creation of an action potential that initiates muscle
contraction. You may use props and costumes but no notes or cue cards.
Option 3: (1-2 members in a group) Write a graphic novel (comic book) with the target audience
being students in grades 5-8. Explain how the muscles are put together and how they work.
Make sure to include illustrations with your story.
Option 4: (1-2 members in a group) Create a poster, Prezi, PowerPoint, or some other
presentation that shows the steps of muscle contraction. You will be presenting this information
to the class without notes or cue cards.

Criteria

Task

All areas of the task were

addressed and handled
with a high degree of
sophistication. The plan
followed by the team
demonstrated a great deal
of thought.

At least one area of

the task was not
addressed. The plan
followed by the team
demonstrated a great
deal of thought.

At least two areas of

the task were not
addressed. The plan
followed by the team
demonstrated a
moderate level of
thought.

The task is
incomplete and/or it
is apparent that little
effort went into the
development of the
task.

Process:
Teamwork

It is evident that a mutual The team worked well The team had
effort and cohesive unit together, but could
problems working
created the final product. have utilized each
together. Little
other's skills to a
collaboration
better degree.
occurred.

The final product is

not the result of a
collaborative effort.
The group showed no
evidence of
collaboration.

Process:
Originality

The ideas expressed by The ideas expressed

the body of work
by the body of work
demonstrate a high degree are mostly original.
of originality.
The group may have
improved upon a
previous idea.

There were no
original ideas
expressed in this
project.

Grammar:
The final body of work
Format/Spelling was free of grammar,
spelling, and formatting

The final body of

work had 1 error
related to either

The ideas expressed

by the body of work
demonstrate a low
degree of originality.

The final body of

The final body of
work had 3-5
work had major
grammar, spelling, and grammar, spelling,

errors.

grammar, spelling,
formatting errors.
and formatting errors.

and formatting errors.

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