Functions of the Skeletal System

The basic framework that gives your body its shape is the skeletal system. The skeletal system is made up of bones and connective tissues such as cartilages, tendons, and ligaments. It is termed as the musculoskeletal system. There are about 206 bones in the adult human skeletal system. It accounts for around 20% of the human body’s weight. The male body skeleton is longer and has a greater bone mass, whereas the female body skeleton is smaller and has a lower bone mass. Animal skeletons can be found either within (endoskeleton) or outside (exoskeleton) their bodies (exoskeleton). Proteins and minerals such as calcium and phosphate make up the majority of human bones. The musculoskeletal system is made up of organs in the skeletal system that work with muscles to produce a system called the musculoskeletal system. In addition, various tissues help in the movement of the skeletal system.

Production of Blood Cells

The bone marrow, which is the main site for blood cell formation in adult humans, is found in the central part of a bone. In adults, there are two forms of bone marrow. Red bone marrow, which contains hematopoietic stem cells and supporting tissue, accounts for around half of the total. The rest is fat-rich yellow bone marrow, which rises in proportion with age.

If the body is injured and more red blood cells are needed, bone marrow will return to a higher proportion of red marrow. In animals, the composition of the bone marrow varies throughout pregnancy and lactation. The amount of blood grows by roughly 1.5 litres during gestation period, as does the concentration of red blood cells and white blood cells.

Production of other Cell Types

In addition to manufacturing red blood cells, the skeletal system’s bone marrow also produces a variety of other cells. Lymphocytes, which are immune cells that travel via the lymphatic system, are among them. The skeletal system is home to stem cells that can develop into muscle cells, cartilage-producing cells, and bone-forming cells, in addition to performing immunological functions (osteoblasts).

Bone osteoblasts have an endocrine role, secreting the hormone osteocalcin. It is an anabolic hormone that needs the synthesis of vitamin K. It causes a rise in insulin levels and improves the body’s insulin sensitivity. Osteocalcin aids in the development of bone mass and mineralization.

Storing Minerals

The skeletal system’s bones operate as a calcium ion storage facility, adjusting the quantity of mineralized deposits inside bones to keep plasma calcium ion concentrations within a restricted range. Calcium ions can disrupt essential sodium ion channels in every cell’s plasma membrane, disrupting general homeostasis.

As a result, fluctuations in calcium ion concentration have a notably negative impact on excitable cells in the nervous system, as well as cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle. Different interacting hormones, particularly the parathyroid hormone generated by the parathyroid glands in the neck, keep calcium ions in the plasma and bones in balance.FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM

Support

The skeletal system’s first and most obvious function is to provide a framework for the body. The presence of a solid bone skeleton permits the creature to take on a specific form that is tailored to its environment. For example, the skeleton of a fast-moving animal like the cheetah has long, thin leg bones and an exceptionally flexible spine. The skeleton’s structure also helps it to absorb the shock of high-speed running.

Birds’ bones are hollow, light, and generate a streamlined body that is well-suited to flight. Sexual dimorphism may even be found in the bones of several animals. While this dimorphism is rather modest in humans, there are variances in the angle of the pelvic bones to allow for pregnancy.

Integration with the Muscular System

The skeletal system also serves as a significant source of muscular attachments. When muscles are flexed, bones and exoskeletons are rigid and do not bend or move. This means that the contracting of muscle cells causes muscles to shorten while the bone maintains its shape. Muscles can move various areas of the body using forces created by pulling on the skeletal system, thanks to this basic structure.

Protection

The role of the skeletal system in safeguarding the internal organs is the next most evident function. In humans, this is visible in the skull, which fully covers the brain. The ribcage, which covers the lungs and heart yet still allows for growth, is another example. Snails and prawns, for example, develop strong exoskeletons to defend themselves from predators.

The stiff endoskeleton helps the body to rise above the ground or stand straight, as well as hold the organism’s weight and offer movement scaffolding. Muscles provide the force that allows bones to move at joints. Actin and myosin, two protein filaments that may slide past each other to vary the length of the muscle, are found in muscle fibres. A nerve impulse sends a signal to the muscle to contract when it reaches the neuromuscular junction. Depending on the nature of the connection between the muscle and the joint, the force created by the contracting muscle pulls two bones together or apart.

CONCLUSION

Humans are vertebrates, or animals with a backbone or vertebral column. They rely on a strong internal frame with a visible spine as its focal point. The human skeletal system is made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, and it accounts for around 20% of the body’s weight.

In metabolism, our bodies’ living bones need oxygen and release waste products. They are made up of active tissues that absorb nutrients, need blood, and change form or remodel in response to mechanical stress. The skeleton, which is made primarily of bones, provides a solid structure that supports and protects the body’s delicate organs. When standing, the trunk is supported by the massive bones of the lower limbs.