258,540 views
18 votes
18 votes
How do pairs of skeletal muscles work together?

a. both muscles contract at the same time
b. while one muscle in the pair contracts, the other relaxes
C. both muscles extend at the same time
d. both muscles do nothing

User Beez
by
2.9k points

1 Answer

14 votes
14 votes

Answer:

B. While one muscle in the pair contracts, the other relaxes

Step-by-step explanation:

If we consider by elimination:

A -- If both muscles contract at the same time, nothing would happen except energy being depleted. Think of when you hold your arm out straight and try to flex those muscles. The arm doesn't move.

C -- Both muscles extend at the same time, this is similar to A.

D -- If both muscles do nothing, then nothing happens!

Thus B is the answer, since every force requires an opposing force, so when one muscle contracts, the other relaxes to allow the movement to take place.

User Haris Krajina
by
2.7k points