The Skeletal System

Question 1

Describe the 6 function of the skeletal system

Answer 1

protection - vital organs and brain
shape
movement - muscles attached to bones that are jointed
blood production - red/white blood made in marrow
storage - of minerals like calcium
support - holds organs in place, and body upright

Question 2

Describe the 2 divisions of the skeleton

Answer 2

Axial - protection for vital organs (ribs, skeleton, skull)

Appendicular - allows movement and is what the muscles connect to (arms and legs)

Question 3

What is the diaphysis

Answer 3

main bone shaft made up of compact bone that surrounds a hollow cavity containing yellow bone marrow and fat

Question 4

what is the epiphysis

Answer 4

the ends of the bone (at joints) covered in cartilage and containing spongy (cancellous) bone filled with red bone marrow where blood is produced

Question 5

what is the periosteum (and where is it not located)

Answer 5

dense outer surface of bone covered

not at joints because that is articular cartilage

Question 6

What are the two types of bone (and their mricroscopic sub units) and their FUNCTION

Answer 6

Spongy (trabeculae) - active functions, cell production

Compact - osteon/haversion system - support, protection

Question 7

What are the 5 structures that make up osteon

Answer 7

central canal
lamellae
lacunae
osteocyte
canaliculi

Question 8

What is the central canal (compact)

Answer 8

the channel in the centre of an osteon that runs parallel to the bone (to max strength) containing at least one blood capillary and maybe nerves

Question 9

What is the lamellae (compact)

Answer 9

layers of bony matrix surrounding osteons

Question 10

what is the lacunae (compact)

Answer 10

small spaces in the matrix

Question 11

what is an osteocyte (compact)

Answer 11

the bone cell occupying each lacuna

Question 12

what are the canaliculi (compact)

Answer 12

tiny dense canals between lacunae allowing bone cells to make contact and transport nutrients

Question 13

What is trabecule (explain)

Answer 13

the spongy bone consisting of thin bony plates. Like the osteon but the lamella (matrix) is not arranged in layers because blood vessels and nerves pass through

Question 14

What are the 3 different types of cartilage

Answer 14

Hyaline, Elastic and Fibrocartilage

Question 15

Explain the properties of hyaline cartilage: where they can be found, their function and structure

Answer 15

closely packed and fine collagen fibres

provides strength and flexibility

found in trachea, bronchi and moveable joints

Question 16

Explain the properties of elastic cartilage: where they can be found, their function and structure

Answer 16

thicker and elastic, loosely packed collagen fibers

provides flexibility and elasticity

found in the external ear

Question 17

Explain the properties of elastic fibrocartilage: where they can be found, their function and structure

Answer 17

parrallel bundles of thick collagen fibres

provide strength and can be compressed to withstand pressure

found in the intervertebral discs of the spinal column, knee joint and pelvis

Question 18

What is the difference between bones and cartilage

Answer 18

bones are hard and inelastic

cartilage is a soft elastic and flexible connective tissue