======Mouse Trap Muscle Contraction======


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**Alternative titles:** All-or-None Muscle Contraction, Muscle Response Analogy
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Set a mousetrap carefully according to its standard setup.
  - Hold up a pen or pencil to represent the stimulus.
  - Apply force with the pen or pencil to trip the mousetrap.
  - Show that the trap snaps completely once triggered, not partially.
  - Compare this action to the way a muscle contracts in an all-or-none fashion when stimulated.



====Links==== 
📄 Mouse Muscle Contraction (Page 20 of pdf) - Author: [[https://www.link.link2]]\\


====Variations====
  * Pair with a nerve impulse demonstration to show how signals trigger the contraction.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Handle the mousetrap carefully to avoid pinching fingers.
  * Keep fingers and hands away from the snapping mechanism during setup.
  * Use a pen or pencil, not fingers, to trigger the trap for safety.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the mousetrap snap completely rather than partially?
  * How does this model demonstrate the all-or-none principle of muscle contraction?
  * In what way do real muscles differ from this mousetrap model?