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How to Make a Model of a Muscle From Modeling Clay

Muscles help move the bodies of humans and animals, allowing them to perform daily activities such as walking and eating. These muscles contract in order to turn energy into motion in areas throughout the body, with each muscle having its own purpose. The human and animal body both contain many different types of muscles, including those found on the skeleton, cardiac muscles (which help move blood through the body) and smooth muscles. A model of a muscle can be made very simply using modeling clay to help students understand a muscle's purpose and function.

Things You'll Need

Modeling clay
Oven
Cookie sheet

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a muscle to focus on for your model. Check out a book at a library with pictures of muscles in order to make sure it is totally accurate.
- 2
  Separate your clay into several strips. Roll them together with your hands to make "strands," or the sinnew-like mass that muscles are made of.
- 3
  Place the rolls together in the shape of the muscle. Many muscles, such as those in the arms, legs, neck and back, are simply many long bands of muscle fiber together.
- 4
  Smash your bands together so that they stick, but not enough to lose shape.
- 5
  Place your modeling clay on a cookie sheet and into the oven until it becomes hard.

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