ENDOSKELETON OR INTERNAL SKELETON

1. The human body is supported by an internal skeleton of bones called the endoskeleton. 2. An endoskeleton is made of cartilage. 3. Cartilage is a strong flexible material that is found in our nose and ears. 4. Muscles and other soft tissues are attached to the outside of the endoskeleton. 5. They form on the outside of most vertebrate bodies of a soft covering.

cranium

Pectoral girdle Sternum

Backbone

humerus Radius

Pelvic girdle ulna

Rib cage

Femur

tibia Fibula

The Human Skeleton

1. The human body is supported by an internal skeleton of bones called endoskeleton. 2. Besides supporting the body, the skeleton gives the body shape.

3. The weight of the body is mainly supported by the pelvic girdles. This is why the pelvic girdles are very solid and strong. 4. Unlike animals which walk on four limbs, the pectoral girdles do not have to support the body weight. 5. The long bones of the body are generally used for movement, e.g. the humerus and the femur. 6. The joints enable the parts of the body to bend and turn. 7. The cranium protects the brains. 8. The breastbone and ribs enclose and protect the lungs and the heart. 9. The backbone is a chain of 33 small bones. This makes the backbone flexible, enabling the body to bend forwards and backwards. 10. The marrow in the long bones make white blood cells and red blood cells.

SUPPORT IN LAND VERTERBRATES 1. Land vertebrates, e.g. the elephant and the horse, have
very strong endoskeleton. 2. The endoskeleton serves the following functions: * It supports the body weight of the animal * It maintains the shape of the animal * It protects the internal organs of the animal

Backbone

Rib bones

Pectoral girdle

Pelvic girdles

Joints

Leg bones

The Support System In Elephant Pelvic Girdles * Support the weight of the body. Backbone * Helps to support the body and enables the body to bend.

Pectoral Girdles * Support the weight of the body. Joints * The joints enable parts of the body and the long bones to bend. The hinge joints in the legs can bend in one direction only. Leg Bones * These help the animal to move. *Each long bone contains a hollow to make the bone light. * This hollow bone is stronger than a solid bone of the same length and weight. Ribs Bones * The rib bones enclose and protect the lungs and the heart.

SUPPORT IN AQUATIC VERTEBRATES

1. Aquatic vertebrates, e.g. the whale, have endoskeletons. 2. The whale is a huge animal. In fact, the blue whale is the largest animal in the world.

3. The whale has a very small and weak endoskeleton for its weight and size. 4. The whale can live in the sea with such a weak endoskeleton because its body is lifted up (buoyed up) by the lifting force (upthrust) of the water. 5. * A whale washed ashore cannot move back to the sea because its endoskeleton cannot support the weight of the body. * The weight of the body will crush the endoskeleton and kill the whale.

Endoskeleton

Backbone

Pectoral girdles

Pelvic girdles

The Whale Is Supported By The Lifting Force (Upthrust) Of The Sea

Endoskeleton * Gives the whale shape and structure. Backbone * Enables the whale to bend its body in the water. Pelvic Girdles * Very small and cannot support the weight of the whale on land. Pectoral Girdles * Small and weak compared to the whales weight and size.

Comparison between the support systems in land vertebrates and aquatic vertebrates.

LAND VERTEBRATES
(ELEPHANT)

SIMILARITIES
AQUATIC VERTEBRATES
Internal Skeleton (Endoskeleton) (WHALE)

DIFFERENCES
Internal skeleton system Big Very strong Buoyancy of water Comparatively small

Type Of Support System Size Of Pectoral and Pelvic Girdles Strength Of Pectoral and Pelvic Girdles

Comparatively weak

1. Invertebrates are animals without backbone.

2. Some are supported by exoskeletons. 3. Some are supported by hydrostatic skeletons. EXOSKELETON 1. An exoskeleton is a hard outer layer covering the invertebrate. 2. The exoskeleton is made of a hard substance called chitin. 3. The exoskeleton: * supports the invertebrate * maintains its shape * protects its internal parts 4. The exoskeleton is shed when the invertebrate grows. This process is called moulting. Examples of invertebrates with exoskeleton

Cockroach

Scorpion

Prawn

Crab

HYDROSTATIC SKELETON 1. An invertebrate with a soft body has a hydrostatic skeleton. 2. It consists of a body with fluid in its body cavity. The fluid in the body cavity exerts pressure outwards and makes the body stiff (turgid). 3. The hydrostatic skeleton: * supports the soft body * maintains the shape of the body * enables the invertebrate to become firm and move about. Examples of invertebrates with hydrostatic skeletons

Earthworm

Slug

Jellyfish

Starfish