Question

How do muscles work in antagonistic pairs ?

Answer 1

Skeletal muscles usually work in pairs. When one muscle contracts the other relaxes and vice versa. Pairs of muscles that work like this are called antagonistic muscles. For example, the muscles in the upper forearm are the biceps and the triceps are antagonistic. These muscles are used to bend and straighten the elbow joint. When the bicep muscle contracts, it forces the elbow joint to bend, raising the lower arm.