Ask a New Question
Menu

Instructions: Use the Nervous and Musculoskeletal Virtual Activity from the lesson to complete this assignment.

Student Name:
Background Information: When something happens, like you touch something hot, your body’s nervous and musculoskeletal systems work together to help you react quickly. This quick response is called your reaction time. This whole process happens so fast that you might not even think about it, but it helps you stay safe and react to what’s going on around you.

In this assignment, you will investigate your reaction time.

Before You Begin: Use your learning from the lesson and the background information to complete the following tasks before you begin the virtual activity.

Tasks Answers
1. Describe the function of the nervous system.


2. Describe the function of the musculoskeletal system.

3. Body systems work together to meet the needs of the human body. Describe one example of how your nervous and musculoskeletal systems have worked together today.
4. Describe one specific example of a time when you would need a fast reaction time.

Procedure: Follow the procedure using the Nervous and Musculoskeletal Virtual Activity.

1. Select Start.
2. When a shape appears, quickly select the circle button on the Reaction Timer.
3. Repeat four more times.
4. Review and record your Results.

Goal: Select the button as quickly as you can each time!
Data Table: Record your results from the Nervous and Musculoskeletal Virtual Activity.

Trial Reaction Time (s)
1
2
3
4
5

Conclusion: Use your results from the data table and your own words to answer the questions.

Task Answer
1a. What was your fastest reaction time?

1b. In which trial was your reaction time the fastest?
1a.

1b.
2a. What was your slowest reaction time?

2b. In which trial was your reaction time the slowest?
2a.

2b.
3. What was your average reaction time?

Hint: Add up the reaction times from all 5 trials and divide by 5. You may use a calculator.

4. It is important that scientists review their data to find patterns and notice trends. Describe a pattern or something specific you noticed about your data.

Consider these questions: Did your reaction time get faster each time, did it get slower each time, or was there no observable pattern? Was there one time that was much different than the others? Etc.

5. In this virtual activity, describe how your musculoskeletal and nervous systems worked together to help you react to the shape appearing on the screen.

6. Imagine you are riding a bike, and suddenly there is an obstacle in front of you. You need to swerve quickly to avoid it.

a. Describe how your musculoskeletal and nervous systems work together to help you swerve.

b. Why is reaction time important in this situation?
a.

b.

1 answer

Student Name: [Your Name]

Background Information:

When something happens, like you touch something hot, your body’s nervous and musculoskeletal systems work together to help you react quickly. This quick response is called your reaction time. This whole process happens so fast that you might not even think about it, but it helps you stay safe and react to what’s going on around you.

Tasks:

  1. Describe the function of the nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for transmitting signals throughout the body, processing sensory information, and coordinating muscle movements. It allows us to respond to stimuli from our environment and plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis.

  2. Describe the function of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system supports the body’s structure, protects internal organs, facilitates movement, and stores minerals. It includes bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues that work together to enable mobility and physical activity.

  3. Body systems work together to meet the needs of the human body. Describe one example of how your nervous and musculoskeletal systems have worked together today. Today, when I crossed the street, my nervous system detected the sound of an oncoming car, and my musculoskeletal system responded by enabling my legs to step back quickly to avoid the vehicle, ensuring my safety.

  4. Describe one specific example of a time when you would need a fast reaction time. A specific example would be when I am playing a sport, such as basketball, and I need to quickly dodge an opponent who is trying to block my shot. A fast reaction time allows me to change direction and make my shot effectively.

Procedure:

(Refer to your results from the Nervous and Musculoskeletal Virtual Activity)

Data Table: | Trial | Reaction Time (s) | |-------|-------------------| | 1 | [Your Time] | | 2 | [Your Time] | | 3 | [Your Time] | | 4 | [Your Time] | | 5 | [Your Time] |

Conclusion:

1a. What was your fastest reaction time? [Insert Fastest Time]

1b. In which trial was your reaction time the fastest? [Insert Trial Number]

2a. What was your slowest reaction time? [Insert Slowest Time]

2b. In which trial was your reaction time the slowest? [Insert Trial Number]

  1. What was your average reaction time? [Add Up Your Times and Divide by 5]

  2. Describe a pattern or something specific you noticed about your data. I noticed that my reaction times varied with some trials being significantly faster or slower than others. For instance, my reaction time improved slightly over the trials, suggesting that practice may help enhance my response speed.

  3. Describe how your musculoskeletal and nervous systems worked together to help you react to the shape appearing on the screen. When the shape appeared, my nervous system quickly processed the visual signal, sending impulses to my muscles to respond. This coordination allowed me to click the button rapidly, demonstrating the effective communication between these systems.

6a. Describe how your musculoskeletal and nervous systems work together to help you swerve. When I see an obstacle while riding my bike, my nervous system processes the visual information and sends signals to my leg muscles to push down on the pedals and steer the handlebars. This coordinated movement allows me to swerve out of the path of the obstacle.

6b. Why is reaction time important in this situation? Reaction time is critical in this situation, as a fast response can prevent accidents and injuries. Being able to quickly assess the situation and act accordingly can make the difference between avoiding an obstacle and crashing.

Ensure to fill in the specific times and trial numbers as you proceed with the virtual activity.