Muscle Function Analysis
Recommended for grades 9–12.
Introduction
Muscle tissues maintain electrical imbalances, or potentials, across cell membranes by concentrating positive or negative charges on opposite sides of those membranes. These potentials are a form of stored energy. With activation (such as from a nerve impulse), the ions are allowed to cross the muscle cell membranes, generating electrical activity and resulting in muscle contraction.
An electromyogram, or EMG, is a graphical recording of electrical activity within muscles. It is useful in the diagnosis of disorders affecting muscles and the nerves that supply them. Inherited and acquired disorders of muscles (such as the muscular dystrophies), and disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems (such as Huntington’s disease and diabetic neuropathy) result in abnormal EMG readings.
Objectives
In this experiment, you will
- Obtain graphical representation of the electrical activity of a muscle.
- Associate muscle activity with movement of joints.
- Correlate muscle activity with injury.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Human Physiology with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.