Skeletal System

• Functions of the skeletal system

  • support
  • posture
  • protections of vital organs
  • movement
  • mineral storage
  • production of blood cells
• Protections of vital organs - certain bones protect organs we need to survive from any damage
• Movement - Skeleton's joints allow the body to move / muscles attach to bones where they can pull a limb in a given direction
• Mineral storage - Bones store minerals such as calcium and phosphorus which are needed for movement and to makes bones stronger
• Production of blood cells - bone marrow is found in long bones and produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets
• Sporting eg of support

  femur supports athletes weight when running
• Sporting eg of protection of vital organs

  Ribs protect the lungs when a rugby player falls after a tackle
• Sporting eg of movement

  contraction of the tricep pulling the radius and ulna when a boxer takes a jab
• Why are Phosphorus and calcium important for an athlete


  needed for movement and makes bones stronger
• Why are blood cells important for an athlete

  • red - carries oxygen to working muscles
  • white - fight against infections and illness
  • platelets - help wounds heal
• Types of joints

  • immovable (fixed)
  • Slightly moveable
  • synovial (moveable)
• immovable joints - provide protection (cranium)
• Slightly moveable - make small movements but also provide some protection (vertebrae)
• Synovial - let the body move freely (elbow)
• Tendons


  connect muscle to bone
• Ligaments


  connect bone to bone
• parts of a joint

  • cartilage - stops bones rubbing together
  • joint capsule - synovial membrane produces synovial fluid which lubricates joint
  • ligaments - stop joint moving too much (prevent dislocations)
  • burase - small bags of synovial fluid prevent friction
• Posture - keeps our body upright