Sliding Filament Theory Project

Introduction: The sliding filament theory is the explanation for how muscles shorten. It explains that the thick and thin filamentswithin the sarcomere slide past one another, shortening the entire length of the sarcomere. In order to slide past one another, the myosin heads will interact with the actin filaments and, using ATP, bend to pull past the actin.
Objective: Students will understand the sliding filament theory
Activity: In small groups create a 3 dimensional model of a sliding muscle filament using the materials provided. The model must include the following parts: actin, myosin, myosin heads, toponin,tropomysin, calcium ions, ATP, ADP+P, myosin binding sites.
Materials:Pipe cleaners of different colors, tongue depressors, flexible straws, tape, rubber cement, construciton paper, cardboard, modeling clay
Procedure:
1.Take time to talk through the process using your notes and the diagrams provided.
2.Create a model that shows the stages of the sarcomere contraction.
3.When your model is complete, set a still digital camera or Flip on a tripod and take several photos of each step in the contraction process
4.Move each part of the model slightly and take another photo. You will need at least 500 photos to accurately create the contraction.
5.Create a folder on your PC desktop called Anatomy. Download all your photos into that folder
6.Open Windows Movie Maker
7.Choose tools>options>advanced
8.Change picture duration to 0.125 seconds and transition duration to 0.25 seconds
9.Import all the digital photos from the folder called Anatomy.
10.Drag and drop them into the timeline
11.Add titles and transitions to explain the process
12.Use the on-board microphone to read an explanation into the storyline
13.Follow the directions in Movie Maker to save your video to the computer (AVI)

Assessment: Your models will be evaluated on the following components: Scientific accuracy of model and explanation, teamwork and quality of planning, creativity.

Ohio Department of Education Science Standard: E: Scientific Inquiry: Benchmark A: create models... . .