Muscles and Bones as Simple Machines in the Body Activity

Get this simple machines in the body activity at a discount in our Musculoskeletal System Unit!

Learn how muscles and bones act together like simple machines! Students read about different types of simple machines and how the musculoskeletal system uses them for movement.

In this activity, students will:

• READ an informative article about how muscles and bones act as simple machines. The text provides information about each type of simple machine in the body (levers, wedge, pulley), specifically which bones, muscles, and tendons are involved, and how the forces are applied.
• ANSWER text-dependent questions.
• APPLY their new knowledge to analyze simple machine types in common examples.

Examples Included:

• Teeth are wedges
• Nodding the head uses a first class lever
• Standing on toes uses a second class lever
• Lifting something in the hand uses a third class lever
• The knee acts like a pulley

Teacher Notes:

• Please note: This resource is best suited for upper middle school or an introductory high school course.
• NGSS Standard MS-LS1-3
• Includes answer key.
• Please note: This simple machines in the body activity is NOT editable.
• We offer a complete and comprehensive Human Body Systems Unit!