STUDENT LAB REPORT
MOTION AND POSITION LAB
BODY SYSTEMS
Standard SC.6.L.14.5
Identify and investigate the general functions of the major systems of the human body (digestive,
respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, excretory, immune, nervous, and musculoskeletal) and describe
ways these systems interact with each other to maintain homeostasis
Learning Objectives
1. The student will be able to identify and investigate the organs and functions of the
skeletal and muscular system.
2. The student will describe the interactions between the skeletal and muscular systems to
maintain homeostasis.
Homeostasis and body systems
Homeostasis: regulation of an organism’s internal and life maintaining conditions.
Motion in your Body is controlled by your brain sending electrical messages to you voluntary
muscles through your nervous system. These electrical impulses create a series of expansions
and contractions of opposing pairs of muscles. When one muscle contracts and another muscle
expands the result is movement of the skeletal system. Blood carries energy rich molecules to
the muscle cells where chemical energy is stored and then released. As the muscle contracts the
chemical energy is then change to mechanical energy (movement) and then to thermal energy
(heat.) Maintaining a consistent body temperature is critical to the maintenance of homeostasis
in the human body. If the body temperature needs to be lowered heat is released from the body
in the form of sweat. If the body is to cold, the muscles shiver to generate body heat. Getting a
sufficient amount of daily high quality rest is also critical to homeostasis. When the supply of
energy rich molecules is used up, the muscle becomes tired and the body needs to rest. Finally,
Blood vessels contained within the periosteum carry nutrients to the bone. Calcium and
phosphate are components that make compact bones strong. Cells involved in the growth and
repair of bones are also found in the periosteum. Growth and repair is also necessary for
homeostasis.
Hypothesis: (fill this in)
Problem Question:
Based on the data can the scientist identify and touch a position on his/her body with their
eyes closed?
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STUDENT LAB REPORT
MOTION AND POSITION LAB
BODY SYSTEMS
PROCEDURE
Student Directions:
One student in the group will close his eyes and raise both hands over his head. All other
group members will watch and make sure his eyes stay shut. The recorder in the group
will fill in the data table as the student successfully or unsuccessfully completes the task.
1. With both hands raised over his/her head, the left hand should be held completely still
without movement or waving.
2. Student should then use the index finger on his right hand to touch the tip of his/her
nose. From the tip of his nose, he should immediately raise his hand up again and
immediately touch his/her left thumb.
3. The index finger returns to touch the nose again and then immediately touches the
index finger on the left hand.
4. The index finger returns to touch the nose and then touches the middle finger on the
right hand.
5. The index finger returns to touch he nose and then touches the ring finger on the left
hand.
6. The index finger returns to touch the nose and then touches the pinky on the left hand.
7. The same student repeats the whole process again but switches hands from left to
right.
8. Each student should repeat the process following all the above steps.
9. Students should alternate responsibility of recording data.
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STUDENT LAB REPORT
MOTION AND POSITION LAB
BODY SYSTEMS
Directions: The recorder will put a check when the correct fingers make contact and an X if the
fingers touch in the wrong place or do not touch at all.
LEFT HAND
Nose
Latin names
Nases
Left thumb
Pollex
Left index
Digitus
Segundus
Manus
Left Middle
finger
Left Ring
finger
Left
Digitus
Me’dius
Digitus
Annula’ris
Digitus
Mi’nimus
Ma’nus
Pinky
Student #1
Student #1
Student #3
Student #4
TOTALS
There actually are no muscles in our fingers. Fingers are moved by tendons, pulled by muscles in the
forearm. That's why if you flex your fingers, you can feel the muscles in your forearm. You could say that
we don't directly control our fingers at all. The muscles in the forearm and palm are connected to the
finger bones by smooth, flexible strings called tendons. The way our finger joints bend is by the muscles
pulling on these tendons.
RIGHT HAND
Nose
Latin names
Nases
Right
thumb
Right index
Pollex
Digitus
Segundus
Manus
Right Middle
finger
Right Ring
finger
Right
Digitus
Me’dius
Digitus
Annula’ris
Digitus
Mi’nimus
Ma’nus
Student #1
Student #1
Student #3
Student #4
TOTALS
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Pinky
STUDENT LAB REPORT
MOTION AND POSITION LAB
BODY SYSTEMS
Conclusions:
1. Based on the totals in your data table, was each student more successful at one side or the
other? Why or why not? Defend your answer.
2. Summarize the following in your own words. Since it is known that we have no muscles
in our fingers explain how we are able to move our fingers?
3. Explain in numbered steps how our brain generates movement in our body?
4. See the chart below. These are the joints in the human body. Identify which kinds of
joints are found in your fingers and wrists and describe the motion of the joint.
Pivot: One bone rotates in a ring of another bone that does not move. Turning your head is an example.
Ball and Socket: This a ball with a rounded end that fits in the cavity of another bone. Swinging arms and legs in any direction is an example
of this motion.
Hinge: This joint has a smaller range and has a back and forth motion like a door. These joints are found in elbows, knees and fingers.
Gliding: This joint is where one part of the bone slides over another and they also move back and forth. They are found in wrists ankles and
in between vertebrae
5. Beginning with a thought in your brain explain the process of how you can voluntarily
move your body?
6. Temperature control is critical to the health of our bodies. Explain the relationship of the
muscular and skeletal system and how they contribute to controlling temperature for the
purpose of homeostasis.
7. In summary how do calcium and phosphorous contribute to homeostasis.
8. Describe the processes that occur in the periosteum and how they contribute to
homeostasis.
Pick only one of the following and complete as a group.
9. Do you think homeostasis is important to the maintenance of your health? Defend your
answer with 3 well written paragraphs.
10. Design a poster that describes homeostasis. Illustrate with colorful pictures 6 different
ways your body maintains a healthy balance at all times.
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