The human skeletal system

The human skeletal systemBiomechanicsMuscles

State the main functions of the skeleton in the human body (support, protection, movement, blood cell production).
Identify and locate some major bones and describe what they protect or support.
Explain the importance of diet (calcium, vitamin D) and exercise for maintaining healthy bones.

A bone is a living, growing tissue that plays a vital role in supporting your body and enabling movement.
Bones are constantly growing and changing throughout your life.
If you break a bone, it has an incredible ability to repair itself.
Bones are made strong by a mineral called calcium (and others), which makes them hard and rigid.
To ensure your bones stay strong and healthy throughout your life, it's important to eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and Vitamin D, and get regular exercise.

Your skeleton is the internal framework of all the bones inside your body.
An adult skeleton is typically made up of 206 bones (children actually have more, as some bones fuse together as they grow).
Major Bones to Know:
- Skull: A bony case that protects your delicate brain.
- Jawbone (Mandible): Allows you to chew your food and helps with speaking.
- Vertebral Column (Backbone or Spine): A stack of small bones (vertebrae) that supports your upper body, allows flexibility, and protects the vital spinal cord.
- Ribcage: Forms a protective cage around your heart and lungs.
- Pelvis: A strong, basin-shaped bone structure that supports your lower body and connects your spine to your legs.
- Arm Bones:
  - Humerus: The bone in your upper arm.
  - Radius and Ulna: The two bones in your forearm.
- Leg Bones:
  - Femur (Thigh bone): The longest and strongest bone in your body.
  - Tibia (Shinbone) and Fibula: The two bones in your lower leg.
- Kneecap (Patella): A small, flat bone that protects your knee joint.

The human skeleton.

The skeleton performs several crucial jobs for your body:

Support:
- It provides the fundamental structure and shape for your body.
- It acts as a framework that holds all your organs in place.
Protection:
- The skull shields your brain from injury.
- The ribcage guards your heart and lungs.
- The backbone protects the important spinal cord.
Movement:
- Your muscles are attached to your bones by strong cords called tendons.
- When muscles contract, they pull on the bones, causing movement.
- Joints (like your knees, elbows, and shoulders) are the points where bones meet, and they allow different types of movement.
Making Blood Cells:
- Inside some of your larger bones is a soft, spongy tissue called bone marrow.
- Bone marrow is like a factory, producing:
  - Red blood cells: These carry oxygen all around your body.
  - White blood cells: These help your body fight off infections and diseases.

Bone: A living, growing structure that provides support, protection, and enables movement.
Skeleton: The internal framework of bones in the body.
Calcium: A mineral essential for making bones strong and hard.
Bone marrow: Soft tissue found inside some bones that produces blood cells.
Muscles: Tissues that attach to bones and contract to cause movement.
Joints: Structures where two or more bones meet, allowing movement.
Skull: The bones of the head that protect the brain.
Ribcage: The set of bones that protect the heart and lungs.

Research different types of joints in the human body (e.g., hinge, ball-and-socket, pivot) and explain how their structure relates to the type of movement they allow.
Investigate common bone-related conditions or injuries (such as fractures, osteoporosis, or arthritis) and how they affect the function of the skeleton.