Component 01 Revision — Applied Anatomy and Physiology

This lesson provides a comprehensive revision resource for the Applied Anatomy and Physiology content in OCR GCSE PE Component 01. It covers the skeletal system, the muscular system, joints and movements, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and the effects of exercise on body systems. Use this lesson as a consolidation tool to check your knowledge and identify gaps before the exam.

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The Skeletal System — 20 Named Bones

The OCR specification requires you to know 20 named bones and their locations. You must be able to identify them on a diagram and explain their role in sporting actions.

Bone	Location	Sporting Example
Cranium	Skull	Heading a football — the cranium protects the brain
Clavicle	Collarbone	Tackle in rugby — the clavicle can fracture on impact
Scapula	Shoulder blade	Overhead throw — the scapula provides attachment for shoulder muscles
Humerus	Upper arm	Bowling in cricket — the humerus acts as a lever
Radius	Forearm (thumb side)	Racket sports — rotation of the forearm for forehand/backhand
Ulna	Forearm (little finger side)	Blocking in volleyball — the ulna and radius form the forearm structure
Carpals	Wrist (8 small bones)	Gymnastics — the carpals absorb force during handstands
Metacarpals	Hand (5 bones)	Catching a cricket ball — the metacarpals form the palm
Phalanges	Fingers and toes	Gripping a tennis racket / pushing off in sprinting
Ribs	Ribcage (12 pairs)	Contact sports — the ribs protect the heart and lungs
Sternum	Breastbone	Protects the heart in contact sports
Vertebral column	Spine (33 vertebrae)	Core stability in all sports; protects the spinal cord
Pelvis	Hip bone	Running — the pelvis supports the body and connects the legs to the spine
Femur	Thigh bone (longest bone)	Kicking a football — the femur acts as a lever
Patella	Kneecap	Protects the knee joint during running and jumping
Tibia	Shin bone (larger lower leg)	Weight-bearing in all running and jumping activities
Fibula	Lower leg (smaller, lateral)	Provides attachment for ankle muscles
Tarsals	Ankle (7 bones)	Landing in long jump — the tarsals absorb impact
Metatarsals	Foot (5 bones)	Sprinting — the metatarsals help push off the ground
Phalanges (foot)	Toes	Balance and push-off in running

graph TD
    A["Skeleton:<br/>20 Named Bones"] --> B["Upper Body"]
    A --> C["Core"]
    A --> D["Lower Body"]
    B --> B1["Cranium, Clavicle,<br/>Scapula, Humerus,<br/>Radius, Ulna"]
    B --> B2["Carpals, Metacarpals,<br/>Phalanges"]
    C --> C1["Ribs, Sternum,<br/>Vertebral Column,<br/>Pelvis"]
    D --> D1["Femur, Patella,<br/>Tibia, Fibula"]
    D --> D2["Tarsals, Metatarsals,<br/>Phalanges (foot)"]
    style A fill:#2c3e50,color:#fff
    style B fill:#2980b9,color:#fff
    style C fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style D fill:#e67e22,color:#fff

Exam Tip: The OCR specification requires you to know exactly 20 bones. A common exam question provides a skeleton diagram and asks you to label specific bones. Practise labelling a blank skeleton until you can identify all 20 without hesitation.

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Functions of the Skeleton

Function	Explanation	Sporting Example
Support	The skeleton provides a rigid framework that supports the body and maintains its shape	A gymnast holding a handstand — the skeleton supports the body in an inverted position
Protection	Bones protect vital organs from damage	The cranium protects the brain when heading a football; the ribs protect the heart and lungs in a rugby tackle
Movement	Bones act as levers at joints, pulled by muscles to produce movement	The femur acts as a lever when kicking a football
Muscle attachment	Muscles attach to bones via tendons, enabling them to pull on bones and create movement	The quadriceps attach to the femur and the tibia (via the patella), enabling knee extension
Blood cell production	Red bone marrow produces red and white blood cells	Red blood cells transport oxygen to working muscles during exercise
Mineral storage	Bones store calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for bone strength and other body functions	Calcium is released from bones when blood calcium levels drop

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The Muscular System — 11 Named Muscles

Muscle	Location	Action	Sporting Example
Deltoid	Shoulder	Abducts the arm at the shoulder	Overhead throw in cricket
Trapezius	Upper back/neck	Extends the head; stabilises the scapula	Maintaining head position while swimming
Latissimus dorsi	Lower back	Adducts and extends the arm at the shoulder	Butterfly stroke pull phase in swimming
Pectorals	Chest	Adducts and flexes the arm at the shoulder; horizontal adduction	Push-up; chest pass in basketball
Biceps	Front of upper arm	Flexes the arm at the elbow	Pulling up to a chin-up bar
Triceps	Back of upper arm	Extends the arm at the elbow	Push phase of a shot put; press-up extension
Abdominals	Stomach/core	Flexes the trunk; core stability	Sit-up; maintaining body position during running
Quadriceps	Front of thigh	Extends the leg at the knee	Kicking a football; jumping
Hamstrings	Back of thigh	Flexes the leg at the knee; extends the hip	Sprinting (backswing of the leg); jumping
Gluteals	Buttocks	Extends and abducts the hip	Pushing off in a sprint start; climbing
Gastrocnemius	Calf	Plantarflexes the ankle (points the toes)	Pushing off the ground when sprinting; jumping

Antagonistic Pairs

Muscles work in antagonistic pairs — when one muscle contracts (agonist), the opposite muscle relaxes (antagonist).

Joint Action	Agonist	Antagonist	Example
Elbow flexion	Biceps	Triceps	Bicep curl (upward phase)
Elbow extension	Triceps	Biceps	Push-up (upward phase)
Knee extension	Quadriceps	Hamstrings	Kicking a football
Knee flexion	Hamstrings	Quadriceps	Bending the knee to prepare for a jump
Hip extension	Gluteals	Hamstrings	Sprinting (driving the leg back)

Exam Tip: When asked to identify the agonist and antagonist for a specific movement, think about which muscle is creating the movement (that is the agonist) and which muscle is on the opposite side relaxing (that is the antagonist). Always name both muscles — not just the agonist.

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Joints and Movements

Types of Freely Movable (Synovial) Joints

Joint Type	Example in the Body	Movements Allowed	Sporting Example
Hinge	Knee, elbow, ankle	Flexion and extension only	Kicking a football (knee extension)
Ball and socket	Hip, shoulder	Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation	Bowling in cricket (shoulder rotation)
Pivot	Neck (atlas/axis)	Rotation	Turning the head to look at an opponent
Condyloid	Wrist	Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction	Badminton flick serve (wrist flexion)

Types of Movement

Movement	Definition	Example
Flexion	Decreasing the angle at a joint	Bending the elbow to perform a bicep curl
Extension	Increasing the angle at a joint	Straightening the knee when kicking
Abduction	Movement away from the midline of the body	Star jump — legs and arms moving outward
Adduction	Movement towards the midline of the body	Bringing the legs together after a star jump
Rotation	Turning a bone around its long axis	Turning the trunk during a discus throw
Circumduction	A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction and adduction	Bowling arm in cricket

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The Cardiovascular System — Key Facts

Component	Key Facts
Heart structure	4 chambers: right atrium, right ventricle, left atrium, left ventricle. Septum divides left and right. Valves prevent backflow
Double circulatory system	Pulmonary circuit: heart → lungs → heart (deoxygenated becomes oxygenated). Systemic circuit: heart → body → heart (oxygen delivered, CO2 collected)
Blood vessels	Arteries: carry blood away from the heart (thick walls, high pressure). Veins: carry blood to the heart (thinner walls, valves, low pressure). Capillaries: tiny vessels where gas exchange occurs (one cell thick)
Cardiac output	CO = Stroke Volume × Heart Rate. At rest: approx. 5 litres/min. During exercise: up to 20–25 litres/min
Blood redistribution	During exercise, blood is redirected to working muscles via vasodilation (widening of blood vessels to muscles) and vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels to non-essential organs like the digestive system)

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The Respiratory System — Key Facts

Component	Key Facts
Pathway of air	Mouth/nose → trachea → bronchi → bronchioles → alveoli
Gas exchange	Occurs at the alveoli. Oxygen diffuses from the alveoli into the blood. Carbon dioxide diffuses from the blood into the alveoli. Diffusion occurs because of a concentration gradient
Breathing mechanics	Inhalation: diaphragm contracts (flattens), intercostal muscles contract (ribs rise), chest cavity expands, air rushes in. Exhalation: diaphragm relaxes (domes), intercostal muscles relax (ribs fall), chest cavity decreases, air is pushed out
Tidal volume	Volume of air breathed in or out per breath. At rest: approx. 500 ml. During exercise: increases
Breathing rate	Number of breaths per minute. At rest: approx. 12–16. During exercise: increases significantly

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