AY Honors/Bones, Muscles, and Movement/Answer Key

What's the difference between exoskeletons and endoskeletons? Which type of skeleton do humans have?

An exoskeleton is a hard shell on the outside of a creature (such as an insect or a lobster). An endoskeleton is the system of bones on the inside of a creature (such as a human, dog, cat, or a bird).

List three functions of the skeletal system.

The skeletal system provides support to a body. Without a skeleton, a creature would be a shapeless blob. The marrow inside bones produces blood cells. The skeletal system protects the internal organs from physical harm. Bones serve as a place where the body can store minerals for later use. Bones also serve as levers against which the muscles pull to accomplish motion.

Is bone a living tissue? Explain why or why not.

Bone is living tissue. Were it not so, it could not produce blood cells, nor could bones heal after being broken. Bones cells continually regenerate themselves.

Identify the following bones of the skeletal system.

Carpals, clavicle (collar bone), coccyx (tail bone), cranium, femur, fibula, humerus, mandible, maxillary bones, metacarpals, metatarsals, patella, pelvis, phalanges, radius, ribs, scapula (shoulder blade), sternum (breast bone), tarsals, tibia, ulna, and vertebrae.

The image above shows all the bones listed above. It should be noted that the maxillary bones are the bones of the face. Also note that the ulna connects to the humerus and is larger than the radius. The phalanges are both the finger bones and the toe bones.

What is a joint?

A joint is the place where two bones come into contact with one another.

List three types of joints found between bones.

Fibrous joints are where the bones are connected together by a fibrous connective tissue. These joints allow for little to no movement. An example of fibrous joints are the joints between the various bones in the cranium.

Cartilagenous joints are connected by cartilage. These joints allow for little movement. An example of a cartilagenous joint is the joint between the ribs and the sternum.

Synovial joints are seperated by an empty space called a synovial cavity. These joints allow the most movement. Examples of a synovial joints are the elbow and the knee.

Name and describe six types of freely movable joints. Be able to locate an example of each of these in your body.

1. Ball and Socket joints can be found in the hip. These joints allow for movement in many directions.

1. Ellipsoid joints can be found in the knee. When the knee is extended, it does not allow rotation. When it is flexed, it allows for limited rotation.

1. Saddle joints can be found in the fingers and thumbs.

1. Hinge joints can be found in the elbow between the humerus and the ulna. A hinge joint works just like a door hinge, allowsing motion in only one direction.

1. Pivot joints can also be found in the elbow between the ulna and the radius. This type of joint allows one bone to rotate about the other.

1. Gliding joints can be found between the carpals in the wrists. These joints allow limited movement between the bones as one glides past the other.

Be able to identify the following muscles on your body:

Masseter, Trapezius, Deltoid, Pectoralis, Biceps, Abdominal, Quadriceps, Triceps, Latissimus dorsi, Gluteus maximus, Hamstrings, Gastroenemius, and Soleus.