THE FUNCTION OF SUPPORT SYSTEM

To maintain the shape of the body To help raise their body above the ground so that their movement becomes easier. Multicellular animals supported and protected by a skeleton. The larger the animal, the stronger the skeleton.

Support system in animal

Vertebrate

Invertebrate

* Endoskeleton

Land invertebrate *exoskeleton

Aquatic invertebrate *hydrostatic skeleton

TYPE OF SKELETAL SYSTEM

Endoskeleton Exoskeleton Hydrostatic skeleton

HYDROSTATIC SKELETON
Many small animals have skeleton that are not made from hard materials Soft bodies animals are supported by pressure from liquid which consists of water in their cells and in spaces between their body organ.

EXOSKELETON
Most invertebrates have exoskeletons Exoskeletons is an external skeletons that encloses most of the body The role of the exoskeletons is for protections An insects has an exoskeletons made from substances called chitin.

ENDOSKELETON
Rigid internal skeleton. Made of bones and cartilage The functions of endoskeleton are: (a) to support the body weight (b) to protect the internal organs (c) to maintain the shape of the body

LAND VERTEBRATE

The land vertebrates have to support their own body weight. Hence, the endoskeletons of land vertebrates are normally big and strong.

AQUATIC VERTEBRATE

The body weight of aquatic vertebrates is supported by the buoyancy of water. Hence, the endoskeletons of aquatic vertebrates are smaller

The main support for plants is the stem The stem has to support its own weight, leaves, flower and fruits. Therefore the stem must be strong.

Plants

Woody

Non-woody (herbaceous)

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WOODY AND NONWOODY PLANTS

Aspect Touch with finger
When pressed Support

Woody Hard
A little of water Woody stem Can support heavy weight

Non-woody Soft
A lot of water Non-woody stem Cannot carry heavy weight

Example

Durian trees , mango tree, angsana tree

Balsam plant, spinach, maize plant

woody

Trees + single stem

Shrub + develop branches close to the ground

TREES

SHRUBS

NON WOODY PLANTS

Depend on the water stored in the cells of their stem for support When there is not enough water in the non woody plant, the plant will wilt. e.g. balsam tree.

BUTTRESS ROOTS
Common in large tropical tress These roots occur at the based of the trunk where the main root branch off the ground and enter the soil. They have wall-like structure Function to provide additional support to the stem E.g. Meranti, angsana

PROP ROOTS
Grow from the branches or stem into the ground Provides additional support E.g. mangrove and corn

CORN TREE

CLASPING ROOTS
Aerial roots that develop from the nodes of stem Enable plant to climb by growing around and clasping its support e.g. money plant, pepper plant, wild orchid.

TENDRIL
Is a slender, coiled structure which twines itself round For help plant support it weight and climb easily. E.g. cucumber, Morning glory

PRICKLES
Merely outgrowth of superficial tissues of the stem such as epidermis. E.g. rose

THORNS
Modified branches Found where leaf joins a stem Used as organ of support for climbing.

AIR SACS
The brown alga grow on rocks in the sea that are alternately exposed and covered by the tides every day This seaweed has air sacs for support because the air sacs provide buoyancy.

STILT ROOTS
Mangroves trees grow along the muddy shore of tropical country Some mangrove have stilt roots Provided additional support.