Year 7 Biology: Skeletal System

What is the Skeletal System?

The skeletal system is made up of all the bones in your body. It is like a strong framework that gives your body shape and support. Imagine it as the scaffolding of a building!

Key Functions of the Skeletal System

1. Support: Bones provide structure and support for your body. They help you stand upright and keep your organs safe.
2. Protection: Some bones protect important organs. For example, the skull protects your brain, and the ribcage protects your heart and lungs.
3. Movement: Bones work with muscles to help you move. When muscles contract, they pull on bones to create movement.
4. Blood Cell Production: Inside some bones, there is a special material called bone marrow that produces blood cells.
5. Mineral Storage: Bones store minerals like calcium and phosphorus, which are important for your body.

Types of Bones

1. Long Bones: These are longer than they are wide, like the femur in your thigh.
2. Short Bones: These bones are about as wide as they are long, like the bones in your wrist.
3. Flat Bones: These bones are thin and flat, like your skull bones.
4. Irregular Bones: These bones have complex shapes, like the vertebrae in your spine.

Fun Facts About the Skeletal System

• Babies are born with around 270 bones, but as they grow, some bones fuse together, so adults usually have 206 bones.
• The strongest bone in the body is the femur, which can support a lot of weight.
• Your bones are alive! They are made of living tissue and constantly change throughout your life.

Tips for Understanding the Skeletal System

1. Visualise: Draw a simple diagram of the skeleton and label the main bones.
2. Compare: Think of the skeletal system like a building’s structure to remember how it supports and protects.
3. Move: Try moving different parts of your body and think about which bones are involved.

Questions on the Skeletal System

Easy Level Questions

1. What is the main function of the skeletal system?
2. Name one bone that protects an organ.
3. How many bones do adults have?
4. What type of bone is the femur?
5. What do bones store?
6. Which bone protects the brain?
7. What produces blood cells in bones?
8. Name a type of short bone.
9. What is the strongest bone in the body?
10. Are bones alive or dead tissue?
11. How many bones are babies born with?
12. What is the ribcage made of?
13. What is the function of long bones?
14. What part of the body is your spine made of?
15. What is the role of the bone marrow?
16. Name one flat bone.
17. What does your skeleton do for your body?
18. Can bones change over time?
19. Name a mineral that bones store.
20. What connects muscles to bones?

Medium Level Questions

1. Explain how bones help you move.
2. What is the difference between long and short bones?
3. Describe the role of the skeleton in protecting organs.
4. How do bones support your body?
5. What happens to the number of bones as you grow?
6. Why is calcium important for bones?
7. What is the role of the vertebrae?
8. Name the bones in your arm.
9. How do muscles and bones work together?
10. What is the function of the skull?
11. Describe one way that bones can change over a person’s life.
12. What is bone marrow, and what does it do?
13. Explain why the femur is important for movement.
14. How are irregular bones different from flat bones?
15. What part of the skeleton is involved in breathing?
16. How does the skeletal system help with balance?
17. Explain what a joint is.
18. Why do some bones have more than one function?
19. What is osteoporosis?
20. Describe how exercise affects your bones.

Hard Level Questions

1. Discuss the process of bone growth and development.
2. Explain the different types of joints and their functions.
3. What are the consequences of a bone fracture?
4. How do bones and muscles work together during physical activity?
5. Describe the structure of a typical long bone.
6. What role do ligaments play in the skeletal system?
7. Explain the importance of vitamin D for bone health.
8. How do bones adapt to stress and strain?
9. Discuss the difference between compact and spongy bone.
10. What are some common diseases affecting the skeletal system?
11. How does the skeletal system interact with the muscular system?
12. Explain how the skeleton changes from infancy to adulthood.
13. What is the role of cartilage in the joints?
14. Describe how the skeleton protects the central nervous system.
15. Explain the healing process of a broken bone.
16. How do genetics influence bone density?
17. Discuss the impact of nutrition on bone health.
18. What is the role of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in bone remodelling?
19. How can physical activity improve bone strength?
20. Discuss the differences between human bones and animal bones.

Answers to the Questions

Easy Level Answers

1. To support and protect the body.
2. The skull protects the brain.
3. 206 bones.
4. A long bone.
5. Calcium and phosphorus.
6. The skull.
7. Bone marrow produces blood cells.
8. Carpal bones.
9. The femur.
10. Alive tissue.
11. About 270 bones.
12. Ribs.
13. To help you move.
14. Vertebrae.
15. Producing red and white blood cells.
16. The skull.
17. Provides structure and shape.
18. Yes, they can change.
19. Calcium.
20. Tendons connect muscles to bones.

Medium Level Answers

1. Muscles pull on bones to create movement.
2. Long bones are longer than they are wide; short bones are about the same length and width.
3. Bones protect important organs by forming a hard barrier around them.
4. Bones give your body shape and help you stand.
5. Some bones fuse together as you grow, reducing the total number.
6. Calcium is vital for strong, healthy bones.
7. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord.
8. Humerus, radius, and ulna.
9. They work together to create movement.
10. The skull protects the brain.
11. They can become denser or weaker over time.
12. Bone marrow produces blood cells.
13. The femur supports your weight and allows movement.
14. Irregular bones have complex shapes; flat bones are flat and thin.
15. The ribcage protects the lungs and heart.
16. Helps maintain posture and stability.
17. A joint is where two bones meet.
18. Yes, for example, the skull protects the brain and jaw for eating.
19. Osteoporosis makes bones weak.
20. Exercise strengthens bones and improves health.

Hard Level Answers

1. Bones grow through a process called ossification.
2. Hinge joints allow bending; ball-and-socket joints allow rotation.
3. A fracture can cause pain, swelling, and loss of function.
4. Muscles pull on bones to create movement.
5. Long bones have a shaft (diaphysis) and ends (epiphyses).
6. Ligaments connect bones to other bones at joints.
7. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium for strong bones.
8. Bones can become denser and stronger with weight-bearing activities.
9. Compact bone is dense; spongy bone is lighter with holes.
10. Arthritis, osteoporosis, and fractures.
11. The skeletal system gives muscles a place to attach and leverage.
12. Bones grow longer and change shape from infancy to adulthood.
13. Cartilage cushions joints and allows smooth movement.
14. The skull encloses and protects the brain.
15. A broken bone heals through a process involving inflammation and bone regrowth.
16. Genetics can affect the size and density of bones.
17. Good nutrition, like calcium and vitamin D, supports bone health.
18. Osteoblasts build bone; osteoclasts break it down.
19. Weight-bearing activities stimulate bone growth and strength.
20. Human bones can vary in structure and function from animal bones.

By understanding the skeletal system, you gain insight into how your body works and how to take care of it! Feel free to ask any questions if you’re unsure about anything!