Applied Anatomy and Physiology

What Applied Anatomy and Physiology covers

Applied Anatomy and Physiology is examined in J587/01, Physical factors affecting performance. It covers bones and functions of the skeleton, synovial joints and the movements they allow, major muscle groups and antagonistic pairs, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and gas exchange, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, short-term effects of exercise and long-term effects of exercise.

The 8 subtopics

Each one has its own page.

• Bones and functions of the skeletonThe location of the major bones from the cranium to the metatarsals, and how the skeleton gives support, posture, protection, movement, blood cell production and mineral storage.Open →
• Synovial joints and the movements they allowSynovial joints and their articulating bones at the knee, elbow, shoulder and hip, flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and circumduction, and ligaments, cartilage and tendons.Open →
• Major muscle groups and antagonistic pairsThe location and sporting use of the deltoid, trapezius, latissimus dorsi, pectorals, biceps, triceps, abdominals, quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteals and gastrocnemius, and agonists, antagonists and fixators.Open →
• The cardiovascular systemThe double circulatory system, arteries, veins and capillaries, the route of blood through the heart and its valves, heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output, and red blood cells.Open →
• The respiratory system and gas exchangeThe pathway of air, the alveoli and gas exchange, the diaphragm and intercostals in breathing, breathing rate, tidal volume, minute ventilation with a worked example, and spirometer traces.Open →
• Aerobic and anaerobic exerciseAerobic and anaerobic exercise, how intensity and duration decide which is used, and classifying sprints, middle-distance races, games, vaults and triathlons.Open →
• Short-term effects of exerciseRises in muscle temperature, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, breathing rate and tidal volume with worked calculations, redistribution of blood flow, and lactic acid.Open →
• Long-term effects of exerciseBone density, muscle hypertrophy, strength and endurance, a bigger, stronger heart, lower resting heart rate, faster recovery, aerobic capacity and capillarisation, with worked figures.Open →

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Take Applied Anatomy and Physiology further

The same content, four other ways.

Commonly confused

Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.

• Tendon vs Ligament

  Tendon: tough tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. Ligament: tough tissue that attaches one bone to another bone.

• Abduction vs Adduction

  Abduction: movement of a limb away from the body's midline. Adduction: movement of a limb towards the body's midline.

• Agonist vs Antagonist

  Agonist: the muscle that contracts to produce a movement. Antagonist: the muscle that relaxes to allow a movement.

Questions from this topic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   Where is the cranium, and which organ does it protect?

   Model answer

   The cranium is the domed part of the skull at the top of the head. The cranium encloses and protects the brain.

2. 2

   Where are the vertebrae found?

   Model answer

   The vertebrae are the stacked bones of the spine. The vertebrae run from the base of the skull down to the pelvis.

3. 3

   Where are the ribs and the sternum?

   Model answer

   The ribs are curved bones that wrap around the chest from the spine. The sternum is the flat breastbone at the front of the chest, where most ribs attach.

4. 4

   Name and locate the two bones of the shoulder girdle.

   Model answer

   The clavicle is the collarbone running across the front of the shoulder. The scapula is the flat, triangular shoulder blade at the back.

5. 5

   Which bones make up the arm?

   Model answer

   The humerus is the single bone of the upper arm. The radius and ulna are the two forearm bones, with the radius on the thumb side.

6. 6

   Which bones form the wrist, the hand and the fingers?

   Model answer

   The carpals are the small bones of the wrist. The metacarpals form the palm. The phalanges are the bones of the fingers.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

Applied Anatomy and Physiology revision questions

What does Applied Anatomy and Physiology cover in OCR GCSE Physical Education?

8 subtopics: bones and functions of the skeleton, synovial joints and the movements they allow, major muscle groups and antagonistic pairs, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and gas exchange, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, short-term effects of exercise and long-term effects of exercise. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.

How is Applied Anatomy and Physiology organised?

By the OCR J587 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.