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Skeletal System Examples

A skeletal system is a necessary part of our body to support body control and protect internal organs and also plays a major role in the movement of the organism. There are mainly three different skeletal system examples known: hydrostatic skeleton, exoskeleton, and endoskeleton.

Our body’s central and internal framework is what we call a skeletal system. The framework of the skeletal system consists of bones and connective tissue also including cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Our skeletal system is also called the musculoskeletal system. Other than providing shape to the human body, the skeletal system also has many other functions. 

In skeletal system examples, the skeletal system allows movement in our body, as the skeletal system supports your body weight to help you to be able to stand and walk. In the framework of the skeletal system, some skeletal system examples such as joints, connective tissue, and muscles help to work together to make your body parts move. The skeletal system also produces blood cells in the bone marrow. 

Other than that it provides ultimate protection to our internal organs such as our brain, heart, and lungs, by shielding with skull, ribs, and backbone respectively.

Hydrostatic skeleton

The skeleton is formed by a fluid-filled within the body in a compartment called the coelom, this type of skeletal framework is known as a hydrostatic skeleton. The organs present in the coelom are mainly supported by the aqueous fluid (transparent water-like fluid much similar to the consistency of plasma, but containing low protein concentrations), which also helps in resisting compression caused by external factors. 

The compartment which holds the coelom is usually kept under hydrostatic pressure because of the fluid and also supports the other organs present in the organism. This type of skeletal system example is mostly seen in soft-bodied animals for example sea anemones, earthworms, Cnidaria, and other such invertebrates.

The movement in a hydrostatic skeleton is mainly carried out by the muscles that surround the coelom. The movement is done by contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the hydrostatic skeleton to change the shape of the coelom; the pressure exerted in the fluid of the coelom is mainly responsible for the movement in these hydrostatic skeleton animals present. 

Earthworms move by waves caused by the muscular contractions of the skeletal muscle present in their body wall of the hydrostatic skeleton, known as peristalsis, which alternately contracts and expand the length of the body. The anterior end of the organism extends due to the lengthening of the body. The posterior portion of the body is drawn forward due to the shortening of the muscles. However, the hydrostatic skeleton is best suited to invertebrate organisms for example earthworms and other aquatic animals.

Exoskeleton

An external skeleton that consists of a hard encasement or covering on the surface of an organism is known as an exoskeleton. The shells of crabs and insects are examples of exoskeletons. This type of skeleton is provided to some animals to provide defence against other animals such as predators and also supports the body and allows the movement of the body through the contraction of attached muscles with the hard covering. In invertebrates animals, the muscles need to cross a joint inside the exoskeleton or the hard covering. The relationship of two segments or parts of the exoskeleton changes due to the shortening of the muscles.

Whereas, arthropods such as crabs and lobsters possess exoskeletons that consist of nearly 30-50 per cent chitin ( a hard outer covering, a polysaccharide product of glucose that is strong but also made with a flexible material). Epidermal cells secrete chitin, thus, the exoskeleton is much stronger due to the addition of calcium carbonate in organisms, for example, the lobster. Also, what are the skeletal system homeostasis examples? 

The Skeletal system comes up with homeostasis by storing and also releasing the product formed as potassium and also calcium, by forming red blood as well as white blood cells into the bone marrow. It is also known that in skeletal system examples, the exoskeleton is acellular (it doesn’t reproduce or grow) so arthropods need to shed their shells periodically because, with the growth of the organism, the exoskeleton doesn’t grow with the organism.

Endoskeleton

A skeleton that consists of hard, mineral-carrying structures located within the soft tissues of organisms is known as an endoskeleton. For example, the spicules of sponges are an example of primitive endoskeletal structures. The bones of vertebrates are mainly composed of tissues within them but sponges lack tissues. That’s why the endoskeleton provides support to the body and, like other skeletons, also provides protection to internal organs and also carries out body movement through the contraction of muscles attached to the respective skeleton. 

The skeleton present in the human body is also an endoskeleton that consists of 206 bones in total in an adult. Endoskeletons have five main functions; providing support and control to the body, storing minerals and lipids and other essential nutrients, producing blood cells, protecting internal organs, and allowing other movements.

The endoskeleton in vertebrates is also divided into other parts as skeletal system examples such as axial skeletons  (the skull, vertebral column, and rib cage come under axial skeletons), the appendicular skeleton ( shoulders, limb bones, the pectoral girdle, and the pelvic girdle).

Conclusion

The three types of skeleton designed and present are hydrostatic skeletons, exoskeletons, and endoskeletons. The hydrostatic skeleton is formed by a compartment filled with fluid. An exoskeleton is known as a hard external skeleton whose main function is to provide protection to the outer cover or surface of an organism and also to provide movement through muscles that are attached inside. 

Whereas, an endoskeleton is a skeleton present inside the body, made up of hard, mineralized tissue which also provides movement through the attachment of muscles pretty similar to the exoskeleton. 

Do you know what are three forms of homeostasis the skeletal system regulates?

  1. Blood cells and platelet production
  2. Protection, Support, and Movement
  3. Mineral and Fat Storage
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Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What types of skeletons are possible and known?

Ans : Hydrostatic skeleton, exoskeleton, and endoskeleton.

 

 

What is the most important function of the skeletal system?

Ans : Supports our body weight and helps us to stand straight.

 

Which bones in the skeletal system protect the brain?

Ans : The skull

Which bones in the skeletal system protect the lungs?

Ans : The ribs

What is the longest bone present in the body?

Ans : Femur