Forces produced within muscles achieve animal posture and motion. A muscle (Fig 4.1 a, b) consists of a large number of fibres (Fig 4.1 c) arranged in such a way that a force is developed between the two ends of the muscle when the fibres are stimulated by electrical impulses coming from nerves. This force may cause movement, but if the force is no greater than opposing forces either within the animal's body (i.e. from antagonist muscles) or acting externally on the animal's body (such as the force of gravity), no movement will result. | Forces produced within muscles achieve animal posture and motion. A muscle (Fig 4.1 a, b) consists of a large number of fibres (Fig 4.1 c) arranged in such a way that a force is developed between the two ends of the muscle when the fibres are stimulated by electrical impulses coming from nerves. This force may cause movement, but if the force is no greater than opposing forces either within the animal's body (i.e. from antagonist muscles) or acting externally on the animal's body (such as the force of gravity), no movement will result. |