Final answer:
Attaching the biceps muscle close to the elbow and near the wrist increases range of motion but decreases strength due to a reduced mechanical advantage for the muscle. This arrangement also impacts muscle efficiency due to variations in muscle length during movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The attachment of the biceps muscle near the elbow and the forearm near the wrist would lead to some biomechanical effects on arm movement. Primarily, if the biceps were attached closer to the wrist, it would allow for a greater range of motion, enhancing flexibility and agility. This is because the muscle would span more joints, allowing for more complex movements. However, this construction would result in a decreased mechanical advantage, meaning less strength when lifting objects, as the muscle would need to exert greater force to produce the same amount of torque as if it were attached closer to the elbow.
Moreover, attaching muscles close to joints offers speed because small contractions can create large movements quickly. Muscle force depends on the angle of the joints and the length of the muscle—a muscle that is overly stretched or contracted exerts less force than one at an optimal length. Given this, the placement of the biceps closer to the wrist might also lead to reduced muscle efficiency due to changes in length during broad ranges of motion.