1.6.22

Joints

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Joints

A joint is where two bones meet. Joints allow movement in the body.

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Ball and socket joints

  • Ball and socket joints allow full movement.
    • Examples of ball and socket joints include the hip and shoulder.
    • One bone is ball-shaped and the other is like a bowl.
  • It is a bit like if you clench your fist and hold it in your other hand.
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Hinge joints

  • Hinge joints are like door hinges.
  • They only allow movement forwards and backward.
    • Examples include the elbow and the knee.
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How do joints move?

  • Muscles can only pull. They can not push.
  • To move a joint, muscles must work in pairs.
    • These are called antagonistic muscles.
  • When one antagonistic muscle contracts the other muscle in the pair relaxes and vice versa.
  • Examples include:
    • Bicep and triceps.
    • Quadricep and hamstring.

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1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

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3Physics

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3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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