1 Physical Education in Glasgow Standard Grade Presentations THE SKELETON IT’S FUNCTIONS AND Section 1a

2 Physical Education in Glasgow Standard Grade Presentations 1. The Framework of the Body The skeleton consists of 206 bones, which, when joined together create the internal framework and support for your body Where two or more bones come together they form a JOINT. Some joints are formed by the bones fusing together to create fixed or immoveable joints, (e.g. the skull), while others are held together by LIGAMENTS and create moveable joints, (e.g. the knee). Some of the fixed joints in the skull can be clearly seen. Here ligaments are holding the bones together at the knee. The skeleton gives the body SHAPE and FORM

3 Physical Education in Glasgow Standard Grade Presentations In addition to being the internal framework of the body the skeleton also provides PROTECTION for vital organs in the body. 2. Protection The brain is protected by the eight bones surrounding it, called the cranium and which is part of the skull. The rib cage and sternum surround vital organs like the heart and lungs. The vertebral column protects our spinal cord, which relays messages from the brain to the body.

4 Physical Education in Glasgow Standard Grade Presentations 3. Muscle Attachment The skeleton has moveable joints but it cannot move on its own. It is the muscles in our body which bring about movement. Bones have muscles attached to them by TENDONS. Humerus Radius Ulna Biceps Muscle Triceps Muscle The bones of the right arm at the elbow joint Q: Can you identify the three bones above?Q: Can you name the two muscles shown?Q: How are the muscles attached to the bones? Biceps Tendon Triceps Tendon

5 Physical Education in Glasgow Standard Grade Presentations 4. Formation of Blood Cells Bones are not completely solid inside. They would be too heavy for us to carry around if they were. The final function of the skeleton is to create BLOOD CELLS. This is done in the red bone marrow. They carry oxygen to the tissues in the body They help fight infections and aid our immune system They help blood clotting Red Blood Cells White Blood Cells Platelets

6 Physical Education in Glasgow Standard Grade Presentations Finally, our muscles help hold the body in position giving it shape and form, but when they move the body, bone would rub directly against bone, effectively grinding it away. Bones have an added protection against this. It is called CARTILAGE. Cartilage Cartilage is a soft spongy material that covers the end of bones. In our knees we have two types of cartilage; one acting as a shock absorber between the bones, (Meniscus), the other, a very smooth covering over the ends of the bones, with very low friction (Articular Cartilage).

7 Physical Education in Glasgow Standard Grade Presentations You have now completed Section 1a - ‘The Skeleton and Its Functions’ You should now move onto Section 1b – ‘The Joints of the Skeleton’ Created for Physical Education in Glasgow Secondary Schools by I.J.Brown – Saint Roch’s Sec. School E.Gordon – Kings Park Sec. School C.McGourty – Holyrood Sec. School