Skeletal System

5 functions of the skeletal system

1. Provide shape and support to the
body
The skeleton forms the base to which
muscles and other soft tissues
attach.
Without the support of bones, like
your vertebral column (backbone),
you would not be able to stand up.
You would simply be like a puddle on
the floor.

5 functions of the skeletal system

2. Protect internal organs
The skeletal system protects all the
systems of the body.
Your cranium (skull) and spine protect
your central nervous system
Your rib cage protects your heart,
lungs, and other internal organs.

5 functions of the skeletal system

3. Enable motion
In order to move, muscles need to pull on
bones. When muscles contract, the bones
to which they are attached act as levers
and cause different body parts to move.
The movement takes place at the
connection between bones which is called
a joint.
There are different kinds of joints in the
body.

3 Types of Joints
Hinged joint
Fixed joint
Ball-and-socket joint

3 Types of Joints
Hinged joint - allows you to move back
and forth just like a door hinge.
Example: knee

3 Types of Joints
Fixed joint - has very little movement at
all.
Example: Skull

3 Types of Joints
Ball-and-socket joint - enable you to
move 360 degrees like a shower head.
Example shoulder or leg

5 functions of the skeletal system

4. Make blood cells
It is in the hollow center of many
bones that bone marrow makes
new red and white blood cells.
The red blood cells ensure that
oxygen is distributed to all parts
of your body.
The white blood cells are
responsible for fighting off germs
and disease.

5 functions of the skeletal system

5. Store minerals (calcium and
phosphorus)
Bones are storage sites for many minerals.
These minerals give bone its rigidity (hardness)
and much of its weight.
Bones contain a lot of calcium (an element
found in milk, broccoli, and other foods).
Calcium is important for bone growth and
development. It is also important for muscle
contractions.

1. Which function of the skeletal

system does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals (calcium
and phosphorus)

2. Which function of the skeletal

system does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals
(calcium and
phosphorus)

3. Which function of the skeletal

system does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals (calcium
and phosphorus)

4. Which function of the skeletal system

does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals (calcium
and phosphorus)

5. Which function of the skeletal

system does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals (calcium
and phosphorus)

6. Which function of the skeletal

system does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals (calcium
and phosphorus)

7. Which function of the skeletal

system does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals (calcium
and phosphorus)

8. Which function of the skeletal

system does this picture pertain to?
a. Provide shape and
support to the body
b. Protect internal organs
c. Enable motion
d. Make blood cells
e. Store minerals (calcium
and phosphorus)

Bone Strength
Bones are hard because they
contain two substances found
in minerals phosphorous
and calcium.

Structure of Bones
The space in bone that
contains a soft connective
tissue called marrow.
There are two types of
marrow red and yellow.
Red bone marrow produces
the bodys blood cells.

How Bones form

As an infant, much of your
skeleton was cartilage
(connective tissue found on
the nose).
Over time, most of the
cartilage has been replaced
with hard bone tissue.
Not all of your bodys
cartilage is replaced by bone

Taking care of your Bones

Balanced diet which
includes calcium and
phosphorus.
Regular exercise helps
bone grow stronger and
denser.

Osteoporosis
Mineral (calcium and
phosphorus) loss can lead to
osteoporosis, a condition in
which the bodys bones become
weak and break easily.
Osteoporosis is more common in
women than in men.
Regular exercise and diet with
enough calcium can prevent
osteoporosis.