Savannah Kruse

January 10, 2016

5th Period Anatomy
Skeletal Muscle Lab Report
This lab report will cover macro- and microscopic views of muscle contraction and the
dissection of skeletal muscles. A male mink carcass was used to study the macroscopic
anatomy of different types of skeletal muscles throughout various regions of the body by
isolating and identifying structures(See Figures 3A, B, C, and D). Microscopically, rabbit Psoas
Muscle Lab was conducted to understand the physiology of skeletal muscles. Relaxed, the
Psoas muscle appeared to be in smooth rows (See Figure 1A). After the first application of
ATP+Salt Solution, a wave of contractions moved through the muscle tissue working from the
outside, inward. A curling of the cells resulted (See Figure 1B). Five minutes later, a second
application of the ATP Solution was applied, and a second, lesser wave contracted through the
tissue and resulted in a tighter and darker compaction of the cells (See Figure 1C). Due to the
dense packing of the cells, each trial resulted in a darker image because it was more difficult for
light to pass through the matter. The data revealed that after application of the solution, the
length and width of the cells examined reduced after each application (See Table 1, Figure 2A,
and Figure 2B). The change in length (an average of 36.33%) of each cell was significant after
each application and proved that contraction had occurred. If the experiment were to be
conducted again, an image under a higher magnification would most definitely reveal more data
about the smaller structures within the cells, as well as provide a clearer visual representation of
the proof of contraction. Also, a measurement of the the width from center of the cell would have
been more beneficial, rather than the outer edge due to breaking of the fibers and skewed data.

Figure 1A. Image of a Relaxed section of Psoas muscle under 10X magnification of light
micrograph. Photo by Author.

Figure 1B. Image of contracted Psoas muscle after first application of ATP+Salt Solution to
slide. 10X magnification under light micrograph. Photo by author.
 Figure 1C. Image of Psoas muscle after second application of ATP+Salt Solution to slide.
Image under 10X magnification of light micrograph. Photo by author.

Table 1. Measurements of Cells within a Rabbit Psoas Muscle with ATP+Salt Solution
Trial Before ATP After ATP After ATP Percent (%)
(Relaxed Application 1 Application 2 Beginning vs
End

Length Width Length Width Length Width Length Width

(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)

1 143 8 89 4 71 5 50.35% 37.5%

2 138 12 122 7 92 8 33.33% 33.33

%

3 159 17 143 10 117 9 26.42% 47.06

%

Average 146.67 12.3 118 7 93.3 7.3 36.33% 40.65

%
 Figure 2A. Changes in Length of Muscle Cells Before and After Applications of ATP+Salt
Solution. Image and Data by Author.

Figure 2B. Changes in Width of Muscle Cells Before and After Applications of ATP+Salt
Solution. Image and Data by Author.

Figure 3A. Anterior Superior View of the head, neck, and chest muscles of the mink. Image by
Author.
Figure 3B. Muscles of the Arm of the mink. Anterior-Lateral View. Photo by Author.

Figure 3C. Lateral view of mink leg muscles. Photo by Author.

Figure 3D. Medial view of mink leg muscles. Photo by author.

Works Cited:
1. Kruse, S. P. (2016, January 10). [Psoas Muscle Measurements]. Unpublished raw data.
2. Relaxed Psoas Muscle [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High School]. (2017,
January 10).
3. Psoas Muscle After ATP Application 1 [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High
School]. (2017, January 10).
4. Psoas Muscle After ATP Application 2 [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High
School]. (2017, January 10).
5. Length Variace [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High School]. (2017, January
11).
6. Width Variance [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High School]. (2017, January
11).
7. Mink Neck/Head/Chest Muscles [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High School].
(2017, February 02).
8. Mink Arm Muscles [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High School]. (2017, January
31).
9. Medial Leg Muscles[Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High School]. (2017,
February 06).
10. Lateral Leg Muscles [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe High School]. (2017,
February 06).