Biology 101: Skeletal System Overview and Function Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the skeletal system, detailing its primary functions, including support, movement, protection, and mineral storage. It classifies the skeletal system into the axial and appendicular skeletons, describing the components of each, such as the skull, vertebral column, ribcage, and the upper and lower extremities. The report also discusses osteoporosis, a common condition characterized by decreased bone density, and its risk factors. Furthermore, it explores the interaction between the skeletal and muscular systems, highlighting how these systems work together to facilitate locomotion, maintain posture, and provide stability through the articulation of bones and muscles at joints. The assignment emphasizes the skeletal system's importance, its complex composition, and its close relationship with the muscular system, making it a vital and fascinating area of study.

Running head: THE SKELETAL SYSTEM 1
The Skeletal System
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THE SKELETAL SYSTEM 2
1. Introduction
The skeletal system’s main functions include acting as the support for the body, allowing
movement by providing the framework through which muscles act as levers and pivots,
protection of the reproductive system, lungs, heart, and brain, as a site for hemopoiesis where
blood cells are formed, mineral storage in the bone tissue and takes part in detoxification, as the
bone tissue eliminates heavy metals and some foreign materials from blood 1. The skeletal
system is made of long, short, flat, and irregular bones. Long bones contain the red bone marrow
which is vital for hematopoiesis while the yellow bone marrow has fat, which is utilized by the
body for energy especially during starvation.
The skeletal system is classified into the axial skeleton and the Appendicular skeletons.
The axial skeleton comprises the bones of the skull that include facial and cranial bones, the
vertebral column made of cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal regions, and the
ribcage. The appendicular skeleton consists of the upper extremities made of the pectoral girdle
(scapula and clavicle), the humerus or upper arm, the forearm made of radius and ulna and the
hand made of carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. It also contains the lower extremities made of
the pelvic girdle, upper leg or femur, lower leg made of tibia and fibula and the foot 2.
One of the most common conditions of the skeletal system is Osteoporosis which results
when bone density decreases. The bones become very brittle and are very prone to fracturing.
The condition is highly prevalent in women especially after menopause since they are unable to
produce estrogen that maintains bone density. However, Osteoporosis can also occur in men.
Other risk factors include old age, white and Asian race, family history of osteoporosis and
people with smaller body frames who are more likely to have low bone mass as they get older.

THE SKELETAL SYSTEM 3
However, the disease can be prevented early through physical exercise, a balanced diet and
reduced alcohol and tobacco consumption 3.
2. Interaction between Skeletal and Muscular systems
The skeletal system performs its functions in collaboration with the muscular system to
form the musculoskeletal system. Both systems depend on each other to create locomotion,
enhance posture and cause stability. The bones and muscles connect at a point of articulation
called the joint. Ligaments attach a bone to another giving stability to the joints. A joint has a
wide range of movements, which allows one to perform different sporting activities. The tendon
connects the muscle fiber to the bone 4.
After a neurotransmitter signal is sent for locomotion, ATP energy is released by the
body causing muscle contraction, which then leads to pulling of the corresponding bone. This
contraction reduces the distance between articulating bones, with the joint acting as the fulcrum.
When a neurotransmitter message is sent to cause muscle relaxation, the muscle opposing the
contracted muscle relaxes causing extension of the movable bone to its original point. When one
muscle contracts, the other relaxes, a process called antagonism that causes movement (4).
3. Rationale for choosing Skeletal system
The skeletal system was selected for this assignment as it is one of the most detailed and
vital body systems. It is made of two hundred and seventy bones at birth, which later reduces to
two hundred and six after fusion in adulthood. The bones are classified differently and have
varying compositions and functions. It virtually impossible to keep up with every single bone, its
function and composition in the body which is fascinating. This assignment provides a brief
overview of the skeletal system.

THE SKELETAL SYSTEM 4
Its rigid yet flexible framework acts as a support for all the other body organs and
systems. It not only allows movement but also maintains homeostasis by generating heat through
facilitation of muscle contraction. Its close relationship with the muscular system is also
significant in that they are completely co-dependent, unlike other body systems.

THE SKELETAL SYSTEM 5
Reference List
1. Murphy AC, Muldoon SF, Baker D, Lastowka A, Bennett B, Yang M, et al. Structure, function,
and control of the human musculoskeletal network. PLOS Biology 2018;16:1–27.
doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2002811.
2. Arnold C. Your skeletal system. Lerner Publications Co.; 2017.
3. Sozen T, Ozisik L, Basaran N. An overview and management of osteoporosis. European Journal
of Rheumatology 2017;4:46–56. doi:10.5152/eurjrheum.2016.048.
4. Brotto M, Bonewald L. Bone and muscle: Interactions beyond mechanical. Bone 2015;80:109–
14. doi:10.1016/j.bone.2015.02.010.