The Skeletal System

Question 1

What is mineral storage?

Answer 1

Minerals transform spongy bone matrix into a rigid structure and in turn increase density and strength.
Bones also function as a mineral storage depot, releasing dissolved calcium, phosphorus and magnesium into your bloodstream.

Question 2

Give examples of mineral storage

Answer 2

In rugby strong bones are needed when tackling a player

Question 3

What is blood cell production?

Answer 3

The ends of long bones and some other bones including the ribs, humerus, femur and vertebrae bones, contain red bone marrow. This is where the red blood cells that carry oxygen are produced.

Question 4

Give examples of blood cell production

Answer 4

Red blood cells are used to transport oxygen around the body, specifically in the haemoglobin so more red blood cells means more oxygen can get to the working muscles making the cyclist more efficient

Question 5

What is shape and support?

Answer 5

The skeleton gives the body support, enabling us to stand
The bones of the body are held together by ligaments
The skeleton provides a framework for the muscles, which are attached to the bones by tendons

Question 6

Give examples of shape and support

Answer 6

Ice skating - when balancing during spins
Horse rider - posture when sitting up straight (vertebral column)
Gymnast - vertebral column keeps you balanced on the beam
Rower - vertebral column keeps the posture up right to prevent the boat being unsteady

Question 7

What is protection?

Answer 7

Some of the body parts, such as the brain, are very delicate and need protection
Bones can protect body parts from impacts and injures
The cranium protects the brain
The rib cage protects the lungs

Question 8

Give examples of protection

Answer 8

Football - when taking a header, the cranium protects the brain
Boxing - the skeleton would protect vital organs when given a body punch

Question 9

What is movement?

Answer 9

Muscles contract when they work

Muscles are attached to bones, which are jointed. When the muscles contract, the bones move.

Question 10

Gives examples of movement

Answer 10

Gymnast - moves quickly across the floor when performing a somersault in order to gain momentum
Rowing - the rower moves their arms and legs in co-ordination to keep the boat moving
A tennis player swings his arm to serve
A horse rider leans forward when going over a jump

Question 11

What is posture?

Answer 11

The skeleton acts as a framework

Muscles are firmly attached to bones forming our body shape, this holds us upright

Question 12

Give examples of posture

Answer 12

Rowing - when reaching forward the back should be straight
Gymnast - when on the rings, holding yourself up
A horse rider will lean forward over the fence to keep balanced
A figure skater will straighten her arms out when on one leg to keep balanced

Question 13

What are the six of the skeletal system?

Answer 13

Support
Posture
Movement
Blood cell production
Mineral storage
Protection

Question 14

What is extension?

Answer 14

This is straightening or extending a limb

When extension occurs the angle at a joint is increased

Question 15

Give examples of extension

Answer 15

The arm can be extended at the elbow

When taking a punch in boxing

Question 16

What is flexion?

Answer 16

This is bending or flexing a limb

When flexion occurs the angle at a joint is decreased

Question 17

Give examples of flexion

Answer 17

The leg can be flexed at the knee

Before kicking a ball in rugby

Question 18

What is abduction?

Answer 18

This is sideways movement of a limb away from the midline of the body
This happens during the first movement of a star jump with arms and legs

Question 19

Give examples of abduction

Answer 19

The leg can be moved away from the centre of the body at the hip

Question 20

What is adduction?

Answer 20

The movement towards the midline of the body

Question 21

Give examples of adduction

Answer 21

In swimming the recovery of the legs from the breaststroke leg kick involves adduction

Question 22

What is a joint?

Answer 22

A place where two or more bones meet

Question 23

What is a synovial joint?

Answer 23

A freely moveable joint in which the bones surfaces are covered by cartilage and connected by a fibrous connective tissue capsule lined with synovial fluid

Question 24

What is rotation?

Answer 24

When the bone turns about its longitude axis within the joint. Rotation towards the body is called internal or medial rotation. Rotation away from the body is called external or lateral rotation

Question 25

Give examples of rotation

Answer 25

A ballet dancer moves into first position and rotates the hip joint laterally

Question 26

What is circumduction?

Answer 26

A combination of abduction, adduction, extension or flexion and rotation. It describes a continuous circular movement of a limb around a joint.

Question 27

Give examples of circumduction

Answer 27

A swimmer during the front crawl arm action will take their arm out and round and back into the water, showing circumduction at the shoulder joint.

Question 28

What is a hinge joint?

Answer 28

Hinge joints can bend to allow movement in two directions only

Question 29

Give examples of hinge joints

Answer 29

Knee joint
Elbow joint
Ankle joint

Question 30

What is the movement possible at a hinge joint?

Answer 30

Flexion and extension

Question 31

What is a ball and socket joint?

Answer 31

This allows a wide range of movement and occurs when a round head of bone fits into a cup-shaped depression

Question 32

Give examples of ball and socket joint

Answer 32

Shoulder joint

Hip joint

Question 33

What is the movement possible at a ball and socket joint?

Answer 33

Rotation, circumduction, flexion, extension, abduction, adduction

Question 34

What is the function of ligaments?

Answer 34

The ligaments prevent movements that are extreme and help stop dislocation

Question 35

What is the function of cartilage?

Answer 35

The cartilage reduces friction and acts as a shock absorber for the joint

Question 36

What is the function of the tendons?

Answer 36

The tendons attach muscles to bones and help to transmit the power needed to move bones. When a muscle shortens, it pulls on the tendons; this pulls on the bones to which the tendons are attached and causes movement.