Skeleton - Movement and Locomotion

Short Answer Type

Question 1

Define:

(a) Skeleton system

(b) Bone marrow

(c) Gristle

(d) Pivot joint

(e) Antagonistic muscles

Answer

(a) Skeleton System refers to the internal framework of bones and other connective tissues
including cartilage, ligaments, and tendons that provide support, shape, protection, movement
and leverage to the human body.

(b) Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found inside the central hollow space or the marrow
of some of the long bones where certain types of blood cells including red and white blood
cells are formed.

(c) A pad of cartilage intervertebral disc that forms a kind of cushion between two vertebrae
is called Gristle.

(d) Joint that allow rotation about an axis is called Pivot joint.

(e) The muscles that cause opposing movements are called antagonistic muscles.

Question 2

Do the muscles pull the structures, or push them? Explain briefly.

Answer

The muscles in the body provide the means of all movements. Muscles pull the structures.
Each muscle usually has two ends- a fixed end where the muscle originates and a movable
end which pulls some other part. The movable end is shorter and thicker and hence pulls the
bone at the movable end. Muscles can only contract and relax, they cannot lengthen or
elongate.
The movable end is projected out to form a tough structure referred to as a tendon which is
attached to the bone. When a muscle is triggered by a nerve, contraction of the muscle occurs
and it becomes thicker and shorter which causes the bone to be pulled at the movable end.
Question 3

Just as the humerus corresponds to femur, what bones correspond to tarsals, metacarpals, ulna
and radius respectively?

Answer

Bones Corresponding bones

Humerus Femur

Tarsals Carpals

Metacarpals Metatarsals

Ulna Fibula

Radius Tibia

Question 4

What are antagonistic muscles? Give one example.

Answer

A structure that has been moved by a muscle cannot return to its original position without the
action of another muscle. Such muscles causing opposing movements are called as
antagonistic muscles.

Example of antagonistic muscles—

The flexor muscles or the biceps of the upper arm bends the lower arm over the upper arm
(flexes). Extension of the lower arm is caused by the extensor muscles or the triceps. Hence
these two muscles are antagonistic or work in the opposite direction.

Question 5

Give reason:

(a) Decalcified bones become soft and flexible.

(b) People in old age complain of stiff joints.

(c) In the female skeleton, the pelvis or hip bone is wider and trough-shaped.

(d) Bones are considered to be a living tissue.

(e) Vertebral column is curved.

Answer

(a) Two-third of entire bone mass is made of calcium and phosphorous. It gives strength and
hardness to bones. Therefore, when these inorganic substance are lost or the bone is
decalcified, they become soft and flexible.

(b) The freely movable joints are well lubricated by synovial fluid to remove friction between
the joint surfaces. With age, the production and quality of synovial fluid decreases, leading to
less effective lubrication. This coupled with degeneration of cartilage and ligaments causes
stiff joints in old age.

(c) In the female skeleton, the pelvis or hip bone is wider and trough-shaped to adapt for
accommodating the foetus in the uterus during pregnancy.

(d) Bones are made up of living cells (osteocytes) that are responsible for their growth,
maintenance, and repair. They receive blood supply through a network of blood vessels and
they produce red and white blood cells within the bone marrow. Therefore, the bones are
considered to be a living tissue.

(e) Vertebral column is curved in order to provide correct posture and balance to our body.
It's curvature enables us to minimize all the stress on bones and muscles that arises due to
activities.

Question 6

Write one specific location of the following in the human body.

(a) Femur

(b) Malleus, Incus, Stapes

(c) Coccyx

(d) An immovable joint

(e) Sternum

Answer

(a) Thigh

(b) Ear

(c) lower part of back bone

(d) Brain box

(e) In the middle of the front part of the chest.

Long Answer Type

Question 1

Distinguish between the following pairs :

(a) True ribs and floating ribs

(b) Ligaments and tendons

(c) Hinge joint and gliding joint

(d) Voluntary and involuntary muscles

(e) Bone and cartilage

Answer

(a) Difference between true ribs and floating ribs:

True ribs Floating ribs

The first seven pairs of ribs are called true The last two pairs of ribs (11th & 12th)
ribs. are called floating ribs.

They are attached in front of the sternum They are not attached to the sternum at
by means of coastal cartilages. all.

(b) Difference between ligaments and tendons:

Ligaments Tendons

Ligaments connects two or more bones

Tendons connect muscle to a bone.
together.

Ligaments are elastic. Tendons are inelastic.

Ligaments are arranged freely. Tendons are arranged in bundles.

Tendons pass tensile forces to the

Ligaments stabilize joints.
bones from muscles.

Responsible to cause the muscles to

Prevent chances of dislocation
stay intact with parts of the skeleton.

(c) Difference between hinge joint and gliding joint:

 Hinge joint Gliding joint

Hinge joint allows restricted movement in Gliding joint allows bones to glide over each
one plane only. other to a limited extent.

Example: Elbow, Knee Example: Wrist bone, ankle bone

(d) Difference between voluntary and involuntary muscles :

Voluntary muscles Involuntary muscles

Voluntary muscles are under our Involuntary muscles are not under
control. our control.

Involuntary muscles are present

in internal organs and help in
Voluntary muscles help in the
movement of food, movement of
movement of the bones of limbs.
urine from urinary bladder and so
on.

The cells are long, cylindrical and

The cells are spindle shaped.
unbranched.

They are multinucleate. They are uninucleate.

They are striated. The are unstriated.

(e) Difference between Bone and cartilage :

Bone Cartilage

Bones consists of the ground

Cartilage consists of ground
substance or matrix that is filled
substance called matrix that
with cells called osteocytes and
contains cells called chondrocytes.
various inorganic compounds.

Bones comprise the hard Cartilages are supporting and

framework of the body. connecting structures.

Cartilage acts as a cushion between

Bones provide support, protection,
bones, reducing friction and
and anchorage for muscles.
absorbing shock in joints.
 Bone Cartilage

Bones have a higher capacity for Cartilage has a limited capacity for
healing and regeneration. self-healing.

Question 2

What are the uses of the skeleton in our body?

Answer

Uses of skeleton:

1. Support and shape — The skeletal system provides a framework to the body. It
provides support to all soft parts and gives a definite shape to the body and all body
parts.
2. Protection — Several delicate and important organs are well protected by a casing of
bones.
Example — The skull provides protection to the delicate brain.
3. Movement — Some bones are movable on each other which is brought about by the
action of muscles that originate on one bone and are inserted into another.
4. Leverage — Some bones and joints form levers which causes the increase in the
speed and distance of the muscle movement.
5. Formation of blood cells — Certain types of blood cells including red and white
blood cells are formed in the marrow of certain long bones such as the femur.
6. The bones are storehouse of calcium and phosphorus for the rest of the body.

Question 3

Name the different types of joints? Give one example of each type.

Answer

Types of joints with examples are:

1. Immovable joints — Skull bones

2. Partially movable joints — Joints between the ribs and breast-bone
3. Freely movable joints — Hip joint
4. Gliding joint — Ankle bones
5. Pivot joint — Joint between axis vertebrae and atlas
6. Hinge joint — Elbow
7. Ball and socket joint — Shoulder joint

Structured answer types

Question 1

The figure given below shows a kind of vertebra. Study the figure and answer the following
questions:

(a) Name the vertebra.

(b) Where is this vertebra located?

(c) Label the guideline 1, 2 and 3.

Answer

(a) Thoracic vertebra.

(b) Thoracic region of vertebral column.

(c) The labelled guidelines are:

 1 → Neural spine
 2 → Neural canal
 3 → Body of centrum

Question 2

Abhay observed the given figure of a typical 'movable joint' which allows a considerable
degree of movement. This type of joint is located in some places in the human body.
(a) Write the specific name of the freely movable joint shown above.

(b) Mention two locations of this joint in the human body.

(c) Name the fibrous connective tissue which holds the bones in proper position and prevent
their dislocation during normal movement.

Answer

(a) Synovial Joint

(b) The shoulder joint and the knee joint.

(c) Ligament

Question 3

Draw a neat diagram of the "internal structure of a long bone" and label the following parts :

(a) Hyaline cartilage

(b) Fatty yellow bone marrow

(c) Ligament

(d) Spongy red bone marrow

(e) Compact dense bone

Answer

Question 4

Given below is a diagram of human skeleton. Name the bones numbered 1-11.
Answer

 1 → Skull/Cranium
 2 → Clavicle
 3 → Sternum
 4 → Humerus
 5 → Ulna
 6 → Coccyx
 7 → Ribs
 8 → Radius
 9 → Femur
 10 → Fibula
 11 → Tibia