What does our skeleton do?

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETON

PROTECTS
Our delicate organs need protection:
 The skull protects the brain
 The vertebral column protects the spinal cord
 The rib cage protects the heart and lungs
FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETON
SUPPORTS
Our body needs a framework:
 The skeleton gives shape to our bodies
 It holds our vital organs in place
 It enables us to achieve a good posture
FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETON
MOVES
Our muscles use our bones to cause movement:
 The skeleton provides attachment for the muscles
 The skeleton is jointed, which allows a wide range of
movement
 Different joints allow different types of movement
FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETON
PRODUCES BLOOD
 Red and white blood cells are produced in the bone
marrow of the ribs, humerus, vertebrae and femur
The four types of bones in your
skeleton
 LONG BONES – bones of the upper and lower arms
and legs, the collar bone, the ribs, the metatarsals,
metacarpals and phalanges
 SHORT BONES – these are small and squat, light and
very strong e.g. The carpals of the wrist and the tarsal
of the feet
 FLAT BONES – these are spongy bone between two
layers of compact bone and has a large surface area e.g.
The scapula, pelvis and cranium
The four types of bones in your
skeleton
 IRREGULAR BONES – these are spongy bone inside
and compact bone outside. They are specially shaped
to suit the job they have to do e.g. the vertebrae
FUNCTIONS OF BONES
 LONG BONES – these mainly act as levers for a large
range of movement
 SHORT BONES – these provide movement where it is
needed in lots of directions but also give strength.
 FLAT BONES – these protect delicate organs and give a
big surface area for muscle attachment
FUNCTIONS OF BONES
 IRREGULAR BONES – these protect for example the
spinal cord, and provide support
QUESTIONS
1. What bones protect a) our brain b) our spinal cord
c) our heart?
2. In some sports the bones alone cannot provide
enough protection. Name three sports and three
pieces of extra protective equipment that are used in
them.