Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: 700
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The human body contains a complex system of muscles that enable movement, maintain posture, and support vital functions such as circulation and digestion. Knowing the approximate number of muscles is a common general knowledge question that helps students appreciate the complexity of human anatomy. This question asks for the approximate total number of muscles in the body, including both voluntary and involuntary types.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Most anatomy references state that the human body has more than 600 muscles, with common figures like 639 or over 650 muscles quoted when small variations are included. For general knowledge and competitive exams, this is usually rounded to about 700 muscles. The number 206 is for bones, not muscles, and the other intermediate figures do not align with standard references. Therefore, among the options, 700 is the best approximation of the total number of muscles in the human body.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the figure 206 is associated with bones, not muscles, so it cannot be the correct muscle count.Step 2: Remember that muscles are more numerous than bones and are often reported as over 600 in number.Step 3: Since typical textbook values like 639 are close to 700, the rounded value 700 matches the idea of an approximate count.Step 4: The options 310 and 554 are significantly lower than the widely accepted figures, while 900 seems too high.Step 5: Therefore, select 700 as the closest approximate number of muscles.
Verification / Alternative check:
Anatomy and physiology books often mention that the body has more than 600 skeletal muscles alone, not counting some smooth muscles. When additional small muscles are considered, counts approach or exceed 650. For general knowledge questions, this is frequently simplified to 700 to emphasise that the body has several hundred muscles, far more than bones. This simplification supports picking 700 as the approximate muscle count in exam contexts.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
206 is the number of bones in an adult skeleton and is much too low for the number of muscles.310 and 554 underestimate the total muscle count compared to standard anatomical figures.900 greatly overestimates the number of muscles and is not supported by mainstream anatomical references.
Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the famous number 206 for bones with muscles and choose it incorrectly. Others may guess at random without realising that there are more muscles than bones. To avoid such mistakes, remember the rough comparison: about 200 bones but over 600 muscles, often rounded to about 700 in general knowledge questions.
Final Answer:
The correct answer is 700.
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