Final answer:
The muscular and skeletal systems work together to move the arm through the process of muscle contraction and relaxation, with tendons connecting muscles to bones and joints providing leverage.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Muscular and Skeletal Systems Work Together
When considering the movement of the arm, the muscular and skeletal systems work closely together. Muscles are made of fibers that have the ability to contract (shorten) and relax (lengthen). The skeletal system consists of bones connected at joints, providing the structure necessary for muscle attachment and leverage. To move the arm, here is the process:
Skeletal muscles, such as the biceps and triceps in the arm, are attached to the bones by tendons, which are strong bands of connective tissue.
Across a joint, such as the elbow, the muscles span the bones and connect them.
When a muscle contracts, the connected bones are pulled closer together. For example, when the biceps contract, they pull the forearm up. This action is counteracted by the triceps on the opposite side of the arm which relax to allow the movement.
The point where the bones meet and movement occurs is supported by ligaments, tough bands that connect bones to each other and stabilize the joint.
Therefore, the process of bending the arm involves a coordinated effort where the biceps muscle contracts, the triceps muscle relaxes, the tendons transmit the force from muscle to bone, and the elbow joint acts as a pivot point.