Which muscles are involved in bending a joint and bringing bones closer together?

The correct answer is flexor muscles. Flexors are a specific group of muscles responsible for bending a joint, which decreases the angle between the bones at that joint. For example, when you bend your elbow or knee, the flexor muscles are contracting to bring the bones closer together. This action is crucial for many movements, such as lifting and walking.

In contrast, extensors work to increase the angle between the bones of a joint, effectively straightening out the joint. Agonist muscles refer to those that are the primary movers in a particular action, often corresponding with flexors during a joint-bending action. Antagonist muscles are those that oppose the action of the agonist; they relax while the agonist contracts to facilitate smooth movement. Understanding the specific role of flexor muscles helps clarify their function in joint movement dynamics.