Final answer:
The muscle that produces movement opposite to the prime mover is the antagonist, which helps maintain body position and control movement. The prime mover is supported by synergists in performing its function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The muscle that produces movement opposite to the prime mover is known as the antagonist. An antagonistic muscle plays a critical role in muscle function by maintaining body or limb position and controlling rapid movement. In contrast, the muscle primarily responsible for a movement is termed the prime mover, or agonist. A muscle that helps an agonist work is called a synergist, which can also be a fixator that stabilizes a muscle’s origin.