Share 1.4 Functions of the skeleton
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What are the three main functions of the skeleton?
Support, protection, and movement
What is another common name for the backbone?
The spine
What would your body be like without a skeleton?
Soft and shapeless
What is a single bone in the backbone called?
A vertebra
Which is the largest bone in your body?
The thigh bone
What does the skeleton protect?
Soft organs
What is the name for the ring-shaped bones that make up the backbone?
Vertebrae
What do your leg bones help you do?
Support your body/walk/run
What is found between the vertebrae to stop them from rubbing together?
Discs of rubbery cartilage
The backbone allows your body to do two specific types of movement. What are they?
Twist and bend
What vital part of the nervous system does the backbone protect?
The nerves/spinal cord that send messages from the brain
What acts as a "shock absorber" when you walk or run?
The cartilage
According to the "Key Words" box, what starts with 'O' and is protected by the skeleton?
Organs
How do the vertebrae stay cushioned during a "jolt"?
The cartilage acts as a shock absorber
Why are thigh bones described as being "large and strong"?
Because they are important for supporting the body's weight
What happens if the cartilage between your vertebrae is missing?
The bones would rub together
