Muscular+System

Muscular System
 * well written, especially characteristics of life! ~Mrs. Rohland **

The muscular system allows body parts to move, maintains posture, and is the main source of body heat.

Characteristics of life that are a part of the Muscular system are - **Movement** because muscles are needed for all movement. - **Responsiveness** because the muscles create body heat which helps us survive. - **Growth** because as humans grow so do their muscles. - **Respiration** because you use muscles to inhale and exhale. - **Digestion** because muscles are needed to break down foods. - **Circulation** because it takes muscles to pump your blood throughout your body. - **Excretion** because it takes muscles to remove waste from your body.

Muscles are located all throughout the body. The facial muscles are superior to the abdominal muscles, while the abdominal are medial to arm muscles such as the biceps. Muscles in the feet are distal from those in the leg such as the quadriceps. These are all skeletal muscles. There are also smooth muscles inside the body cavities, such as the heart and lungs, located in the thoracic cavity. Another example is the muscles in the stomach and the small and large intestines, set in the abdominal cavity.

The muscular system interacts with many of the other body systems. One example is the muscles are connected to the skeletal system to move the bones. Muscles are also used to pump blood though out the cardiovascular system. Also muscles are used to breakdown food in the digestive system. Muscles are used to contract and expand the lungs in the respiratory system. In the urinary system muscles are used to control the removal of waste.

Muscles are a big part of metabolism, it takes muscles to metabolize your food. When you work out and use your muscles or even everyday abilities that use muscles are also fueling the metabolism in your body. It helps you stay fit and keeps your body healthy.

Muscles make body heat which keeps a stable internal balance which is key to homeostasis. They also create and use energy which is also key to maintain homeostasis.