FIGURE 32–1 The Skeleton The human skeleton is divided into the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The skeleton consists of living tissue that has many roles in the body. Classify Name one bone structure, other than the rib cage, that is important for protecting internal organs.
dFUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETON
Support The bones of the skeleton support and give shape to the human body.
Protection Bones protect the delicate internal organs of the body. For example, the ribs form a basketlike cage around the heart and lungs.
Movement Bones provide a system of levers on which muscles act to produce movement.
Mineral Storage Bones contain reserves of minerals, including calcium, that are important to many body processes. When blood calcium levels are low, some reserves are released from bones.
Blood Cell Formation Many types of blood cells are produced in soft tissue that fills the internal cavities of some bones.
VISUAL ANALOGY
The human body would collapse without its bony skeleton, just as a house could not stand without its wooden frame.
Table of Contents
- Formulas and Equations
- Applying Formulas and Equations
- Mean, Median, and Mode
- Estimation
- Using Measurements in Calculations
- Effects of Measurement Errors
- Accuracy
- Precision
- Comparing Accuracy and Precision
- Significant Figures
- Calculating With Significant Figures
- Scientific Notation
- Calculating With Scientific Notation
- Dimensional Analysis
- Applying Dimensional Analysis