The document discusses the human skeleton and musculoskeletal system. It explains that the skeleton is made up of bones, cartilage, joints and tissues. It gives examples of some common bones like the skull, ribs, femur. It describes different types of joints like ball-and-socket and hinge joints. The document also discusses muscles and how they work in pairs to move the skeleton by contracting and relaxing. It emphasizes the importance of taking care of the skeleton through a healthy diet, exercise and wearing protective gear.

1. DISCUSS:
What do you think is going on inside your
hands when you’re moving your fingers?
Any ideas?
DISCUSS:
What do you think is going
on inside your hands when
you’re moving your fingers?
Any ideas?

10. What is a skeleton?
Every human and animal is born
with a skeleton. A skeleton is
made up of bones, tissues,
cartilage and joints.
Our skeleton grows as we get older.

11. Why do we need a skeleton?
Our skeleton helps us to do many things.
• It helps us move
• It gives the body structure and shape
• It holds us upright
• It protects our organs
Can you think of the structure that
protects our brain?
That’s right, it’s the skull!

12. Parts of the skeleton
Bones Joints Cartilage
The skeleton is made up of different parts. Click on the images to find out more
information on the parts mentioned below.

13. Bones
Back
Bones make up a lot of the skeleton. They are alive and always
growing and changing at different rates. We have many
different bones in our bodies. Can you name any bones?
Bones are made up of living tissues. The outer tissue is hard and the inner
tissue of a bone is soft. Bones can store different nutrients like calcium and
fat which can be used by the body when needed.
A baby is born with around 300 bones and as the baby
grows into an adult the bones fuse together and the
number of bones an adult then has is 206.

14. Some bones in the skeleton include: Back
Skull Femur Ribs
Collarbone Humerus

15. Joints
Back
Ball-and-socket joints Hinge joints Gliding joints
A joint is where two bones meet. Without joints in our bodies we would
not be able to run, jump or bend. Joints allow our body to move freely.
There are many types of joints in our body. Here are some examples.

16. Cartilage
Back
Cartilage is a connective tissue which protects our
joints and bones from rubbing off one another. Some
cartilages do not have blood vessels or nerves so it can
take a long time for cartilage to repair if it is damaged.
Some of a baby’s bones are made up of cartilage and
as they grow up the cartilage is slowly replaced by
bone with the help of lots of calcium in their diet.
Can you think of any foods that have calcium?

17. If I were…
a skeleton
Describe your structure and
function in the human body.

18. I would be very
tough and strong.
I would be important for
producing blood cells.
I would be able to move by
being attached to the muscles.
I would be very rigid
(unable to bend).
I would support the whole body (all the skin
and muscles would be held up by me).
I would help to protect soft, vital
organs, e.g. the brain and lungs.
I would contain bone marrow
in the middle of my bones.
I would allow the person
to stand upright.
If I were…
a skeleton
I would make red blood cells and
white blood cells in my bone marrow.
I would be made up of layers of hard
outer tissue and inner spongy tissue.

19. If I were…
a muscle
Describe your structure and
function in the human body.

20. I would contract and relax
to create movement.
If I were…
a muscle I could be the biceps or triceps
in the arms, for example.
I would work in pairs at
joints in the skeleton.
The force I apply can be measured by:
Force = Moment ÷ Perpendicular distance.
I would be attached to the
skeleton by tendons.
I would work in antagonistic pairs
(against one another) at joints.
By pulling on the bone I can work
like a lever to create force.
I could be the hamstrings and
quadriceps in the legs, for example. M
F P

22. LO-To understand
the function of
musculoskeletal
System

23. Taking care of our skeleton
It is very important that we keep our bones, joints, muscles and tissues strong and
healthy as we grow up. Here are different ways to care for our skeleton.
Wearing a helmet when
cycling will protect
your skull.
Eating a healthy diet
helps your bones
grow strong.
Being active - exercise
helps to strengthen your
bones and joints.

34. The skull protects the brain.

37. The ribs protect the heart and lungs.

40. Your skeleton grows with you.

43. A woodlouse has its skeleton on the outside of its
body.

46. One muscle pulls your arm up, but you use a
different muscle to pull it down.

49. As one muscle contracts the other muscle in the
pair relaxes.

52. Your skeleton grows at the same rate as the rest of
your body.

55. Exoskeletons (a skeleton outside of the body) do
not grow bigger, so these animals have to shed and
grow a new one.

56. THE END