2. Roshani Amaidas
Zoology Lab 2011.01
08 October 2015
The skeletal system of the human body provides many functions in the body such as
framework, protection, structure, leverage, movement, maintaining homeostasis and makes up
the human bodies blood cell production. Without our skeletal system, we would not be able to do
anything. The skeletal system is made up of 206 bones, which is divided into two sections, the
axial skeleton which is composed of 80 bones and the appendicular skeleton composed of 126
bones (Tortora and Derrickson 2014). The function of the axial skeleton is to protect and support
the organs of the neck, torso and head. The appendicular skeleton have four main divisions, the
upper limbs, the lower limbs, the pectoral girdle and the pelvic girdle. The bones are identified
by the shape, internal tissue and bone markings. The bone shapes differentiate from the long
bone, flat bones, sutural bones, irregular bones, short bones and the sesamoid bones. Long bones
are identified by long and thin bones which are found mainly in the appendicular skeleton in the
arms, hands, feet, fingers and toes. The skull, sternum, ribs and scapula are thin with parallel
surfaces are called flat bones (Tortora and Derrickson 2014). The sutural bones are identified to
be small and irregular bones which are found between the flat bones of the human skull.
Irregular bones are described to have complex shapes, the human pelvic bone is an example. The
small and thick bones which are found in our ankle and wrist bone are called short bones.
Sesamoid bones are the small and flat bones that develop inside the tendons near the joints of the
hands, feet and hands (Tortora and Derrickson 2014).
Sunlight is one of the most important factors of human life; when humans absorb vitamin
D from the sun, our skin produces vitamin D which is key to process calcium. A disease in the
3. skeletal system that is often caused by a vitamin D deficiency is called Osteomalacia or bone
softening. This disease occurs when there is a defect on the bone building process.
An adverse environment impact on the skeletal system are the toxins we are exposed to on
a daily basis. Toxins have adverse effect on the skeletal system by changing molecular events in
any three cell types, osteoclasts, chondrocytes and osteoblasts (Ryan 2002). Osteoclasts,
chondrocytes and osteoblasts are key cells to help bone resorption, and the formation of bone and
cartilage. According to Ryan an exposure to lead (Pb) in the human bone cells has an association
with the development of osteoporosis (Ryan 2002). Smoking also has an association with our
bones becoming weak. Osteoporosis occurs when the bone in the human body become weak and
brittle, where the bones can break or fracture easily. Osteoporosis can impact one’s life in many
ways either an individual will feel the pain or they don’t notice it at all. Individuals or many
elderly who are diagnosed with Osteoporosis are more aware of their condition although it
doesn’t hurt them they are more careful with doing daily tasks. If an individual breaks a bone
then their daily life is changed completely.
To determine whether an individual has osteoporosis they use the bone density test or
laboratory test. There are many ways to treat osteoporosis, such as medication for the pain and to
strengthen bones, or vitamins such as calcium and vitamin D to have healthier bones. Another
way you can treat osteoporosis is through diet and exercise. Weight-bearing exercises, free
weights, balance exercises are some of the many exercises you can choose from to help bone
density. An improvement an individual may have when treating osteoporosis would be an overall
lifestyle change, and our bones will get stronger through the vitamin D and calcium intake
(mayoclinic.org). A way one may reduce an environmental impact is to avoid smoking and avoid
being around individuals who smoke. Some toxins are hard to stay away from, but exposure to
4. lead can be prevented by staying away from lead based products or wearing a mask. It’s hard to
stay away from toxins that are in the environment because toxins are all around you
(mayoclinic.org).
The skeletal system is a key organ system that keeps our body stable. Without our skeletal
system, a human wouldn’t be able to do the simplest tasks in our daily living. We must keep a
healthy lifestyle to keep a healthy body. Exposure to lead and smoking can cause osteoporosis,
most of the time this can be avoidable to keep the human skeletal system healthy.
5. References
E. Ryan. The Skeleton as a Target for Toxic Agents [Internet].[cited by 08 October 2015] Available form
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/environmental-health-sciences-
center/COEC/documents/Fall2002EHSC.pdf
Osteoporosis [Internet]. [cited by 08 October 2015] Available form:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/basics/risk-factors/con-20019924
Tortora GJ, Derrickson B. 2014. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. U.S.: R.R. Donnelley 1021 p.
