Question

How does a typical bony fish move through the water? Make a connection between the location of the muscles of a fish and their movement patterns.

A) Bony fishes move by contracting their myotomal muscles, causing undulating movements along their body, propelling them forward.
B) Muscles attached to the fins control steering and vertical movement, allowing precise navigation.
C) Strong muscles near the tail generate powerful thrust for rapid swimming.
D) Muscles along the dorsal and ventral sides provide stability during swimming, preventing rolling motions.

Answer 1

A. Bony fishes move through water by contracting myotomal muscles, creating undulating movements that propel them forward. The muscles attached to fins aid in steering and maintaining stability

Step-by-step explanation:

A typical bony fish moves through the water primarily by contracting its myotomal muscles. These muscle contractions cause undulating movements along the body from head to tail. As these contractions ripple through the body, the tail fin whips against the water, providing propulsion, and allowing the fish to move forward. This movement pattern can be connected to the location of the muscles in the fish, which are distributed in a segmental pattern allowing for this wave-like motion.

Moreover, the muscles attached to the various fins of the fish have distinct functions. For example, the muscles connected to the fins help in controlling steering and vertical movement, leading to precise navigation and stability. The swim bladder of bony fishes also plays a crucial role in buoyancy, enabling them to move up or down in the water column with ease.

Option A is the most accurate response linking the location of a fish's muscles with its movement patterns. The myotomal muscles' contraction is the main mechanism for forward movement, while the fins and swim bladder offer additional control and stability.