Skeletal System Study Guide

Skeletal System Study Guide

1. What are the functions of the skeleton?

The main functions of the skeleton are support and protection, body movement, hemopoiesis (RBC production) and mineral storage.

2. What is the difference between osteoclasts and osteoblasts?

Osteoclasts enzymatically digest old bone from the inside, while osteoblasts add new bone tissue to sides from periosteum.

3. How many bones do we have in our body?

There are 206 bones in the adult human body, however we are born with 270 and some are lost by fusion.

4. What do bones need in order to be healthy?

Bones need plasma calcium levels to be carefully regulated. Bone is a major source of calcium and phosphate. Bone growth is influenced by growth hormones and sex steroids. Bones need calcium and vitamin D.

5. Differentiate between tendons, ligaments and joints.

A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable of withstanding tension. Ligaments are fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones. A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. They are constructed to allow movement and provide mechanical support, and are classified structurally and functionally.

6. What are the 2 main divisions of the skeletal system? Differentiate between the 2 and what bones are within each.

The 2 main divisions of the skeletal system are the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton. The axial skeleton is composed of three major parts or regions. These parts are the skull, the vertebral column, and the thoracic region. The appendicular skeleton consists of the girdles and the upper and lower limbs. It is composed of 126 bones in the human body.

7. Give the four general categories of bones and their descriptions.

The four general categories of bones...