Skeleton + bones

• What is the skeleton?

  A rigid, supporting framework of bones inside the body, to which all the soft tissues and organs are attached.
• How many functions of the skeleton are there?

  6
• What are the 6 main functions of the skeleton?

  1. Support
  2. Protection
  3. Movement
  4. Shape + structure
  5. Blood cell production
  6. Storage of minerals
• What is support?

  The skeletal system provides support for our organs + muscles. Without support, we would be unable to move + be a mass of soft tissue.
• What is protection?

  The hard nature of the bones means the skeleton can protect the more delicate parts of the body - the vital organs. E.g. the cranium protects the soft tissue of the brain.
• What is movement?

  The skeleton is jointed to allow us to move when the muscles attached to them contract and pull on the bone. E.g. the bones and joints work with muscles to enable us to walk, jog + sprint.
• What is shape + structure?

  Without the skeleton, we would not be able to move. The skeleton provides something for the muscles to attach to. E.g. the bones of the legs support the body. The vertebrae support the head.
• What is blood cell production?

  Red + white blood cells are made in bone marrow, which is found at the ends of the femur + humerus, and in the ribs, sternum, pelvis + vertebrae.

  Red blood cells are important, especially in aerobic activities, because they carry oxygen to working muscles.
• What is storage of minerals?

  The bones act as reservoirs for vital minerals such as calcium + phosphorus. These are essential for major body functions. Their role in physical activity to the general health of the athlete, which affects sporting performance.
• purpose of the skeletal system

  support/shape, protection, movement, making blood cells, mineral storage
• how does the skeletal system provide support/shape

  the skeleton is a rigid bone frame for the rest of the body: provides the shape - supports the soft tissues e.g. skin and muscle - helps have a good posture which is essential in lots of sport e.g. performance in gymnastics
• how does the skeletal system provide protection

  tough bones protect vital organs like the brain, heart and lungs - this allows you to perform well without fear of serious injury e.g. the skull protects the brain so you can head a football or take punches in boxing without serious injury
• how does the skeletal system provide movement

  muscles attached to bones by tendons, can move bones at joints which is essential for good performance in sport - different types of movement at various joints are important for different sports
• how is the skeletal system responsible for blood cell production

  some bones contain bone marrow which makes blood cells for blood - RBCs transport oxygen that muscles need to move during exercise - athletes with more RBCs perform better: more oxygen can be delivered to their muscles
• how does the skeletal system provide mineral storage

  bones store minerals e.g. calcium and phosphate - help with bone strength: decreases the chance of breaking a bone - needed for muscle contractions: movement
• long bones

  larger gross movement e.g. humerus in the arm
• short bones

  smaller fine movements e.g. bones in the hand moving at the wrist
• flat bones

  protect internal organs and allow muscle attachment
• examples of short bones

  talus
• examples of long bones


  humerus, ulna, radius, femur, fibula, tibia
• examples of flat bones


  cranium, sternum, scapula, pelvis
• examples of other bones


  vertebral column, vertebrae, patella
• talus

  bears the body's weight when on foot e.g. during standing and running (part of the tarsals)
• humerus

  used by muscles to move the whole arm e.g. swinging a badminton racket
• ulna and radius

  used by muscles to move the lower arm e.g. bending at the elbow to throw a netball
• femur

  used by muscles to move the whole leg e.g. walking and running
• fibula and tibia

  used by muscles to move the lower leg e.g. to kick a football
• cranium (skull)

  protects the brain
• sternum (breastbone) and ribs

  protect the heart and lungs (ribs also protect the kidneys)
• scapula (shoulder blade)

  protects the shoulder joint and helps shoulder movement
• pelvis (hip)

  protects the reproductive organs and the bladder and also helps leg movement
• vertebral column (spine)

  made up of irregular bones called vertebrae that protect the spinal cord
• patella (kneecap)


  a sesamoid bone that protects the tendon bone that protects the tendon that crosses the knee joint
• Skeletal diagram:

  A) cranium

  B) clavicle

  C) jaw bone

  D) sternum

  E) rib cage

  F) scapula

  G) humerus

  H) radius

  I) spine

  J) pelvis

  K) sacrum

  L) ulna

  M) femur

  N) patella

  O) tibia

  P) fibula

  Q) tarsals