NAME(S):_____________________________________
DUE DATE:_____________
DATE TURNED IN:____________
PROJECT: SLIDING FILAMENT MODEL OF MUSCLE CONTRACTION
You may choose a partner for this assignment or work on your own.
Build a model of a sarcomere that shows how the sliding filament theory of muscle contraction works.
1) What it should show:
actin filaments (thin)
actin/myosin crossbridges
calcium
myosin filaments (thick)
troponin
ATP
myosin heads
tropomyosin
2) What it should do:
Your model should “contract” and “relax”, and you should be able to add & remove calcium and ATP to show their role in the
process.
Criteria:
Strong! (10 pts)
Actin
Thin
filaments
Troponin
Tropomyos
in
Calcium
ATP
Thick
filaments
Myosin
Crossbridges
Key or labels
Present, materials used are creative and
appropriate for representing the
function. Has bonding sites for myosin
heads.
Present, materials used are creative and
appropriate for representing the
function. Attached to tropomyosin and
actin.
Present, materials used are creative and
appropriate for representing the
function. Attached to actin, moves to
uncover binding sites when Ca+ binds to
troponin.
Present and shown able to bind with
troponin.
Present and shown able to bind with
myosin.
Present, materials used are creative and
appropriate for representing the
function, heads are clearly shown and
able to bind to actin sites.
Myosin heads can attach to sites on actin
and pull them toward center of the
sarcomere.
Present, all parts well identified.
Not too Flabby (9 pts)
Atrophied (5)
Present, materials adequately
show arrangement.
Not present or incorrect
arrangement
Present, materials adequately
show arrangement.
Not present or incorrect
arrangement
Present, materials adequately
show arrangement.
Not present or incorrect
arrangement
Present, in correct location.
Present, in correct location
Present, materials adequately
show arrangement.
Myosin heads touch actin, but
don’t actually “pull” the
myofilaments.
Present but some items missing
or not clearly identified.
Effort
Clearly, a lot of “muscle” (and/or brain)
put into model.
Obviously a workout, but didn’t
work up a sweat.
WOW factor
Unusual use of materials &/or excellent
demonstration of function.
A nice basic model.
Total pts: ___________________
Not present or in wrong
place.
Not present or in wrong
place.
Not present, or incorrect
arrangement
Not able to connect
myosin to actin.
Not present.
Appears that the ‘gluteus’
was used more than
other muscles or brain.
Obvious copy of another
model.