DaAnonymousOne's+Skeletal+System

__ **THE SKELETAL SYSTEM** __

WHAT IS THE SKELETAL SYSTEM? The skeletal system is a group of many bones stacked upon each other and held together by tendons and ligaments. The skeletal system maintains posture and supports movement such as walking, running, swimming, and more. It has five major functions: shape and support, movement, protection for other organs, the production of blood cells, and storing minerals and materials until needed. The twenty-six bones in the [|vertebral column] form the shape and structure of the body. The firmness and flexibility supports the skull and allow movement. Bones pull on other bones to make them move. As for protection, the skull protects the brain and the breastbone and ribs protects the heart and lungs. Bones produce substances like blood cells that the body needs. They also store calcium and phosphorous and when the body needs the nutrients, the bones release them into the blood.

WHAT ARE THE ORGANS IN THE SKELETAL SYSTEM? There are no organs in the skeletal system, unless bones are considered an organ. Almost every bone is made up of the same four materials: periosteum, or outer membrane, a thin dense membrane that contains nerves and blood cells that nourish the bone, and compact bone, the hard outside layer with canals carrying blood vessels and nerves from the surface to the living cells inside. Another material is cancellous, a spongy hard bone. The last ingredient of bones is [|bone marrow], a thick jelly-like substance. Compact bone is the outside layer of the bone, and right beneath compact bone is the outer membrane. Inside the bone is bone marrow. There are two types of bone marrow: red, which produces most of the body’s blood cells, and yellow, which store fat that can serve as an energy reserve. Also located inside the bone is spongy bone, which may look flimsy and weak on the outside, is pretty strong yet lightweight.

WHAT SYSTEMS DO THE SKELETAL SYSTEM WORK WITH? The skeletal system works with the muscular system, the nervous system, the circulatory system, the immune system, the endocrine system, and the digestive system. The muscles in the muscular system pull on bones to make them move. In the nervous system, the brain sends a message to the nerves, which then move the muscles, which then move the bones. The skeletal system also contains the vertebral column, which protects the spinal cord that contains 32 nerves, and the skull protects the brain that contains 24 nerves. The bones store nutrients and create blood cells that are vital to the circulatory system. The skeletal system produces blood cells, which help protect the body from viruses in the immune system. In the endocrine system, the parathyroid gland regulates how much calcium goes into the blood. The calcium then goes through the digestive system, and then the bones take the calcium to grow by using calcification. Calcification is when calcium is crystallized and layered upon the bone until it is hard and strong.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR BONES HEALTHY Everything can get damaged. Plants, electronics, trees, your bones, and even air. The skeletal system has disease just like any other system. One disease is called [|arthritis]. Arthritis is a disease of joints that causes movement to be painful. This is caused by injuries or infections. Another disease is [|osteoporosis]. Osteoporosis is when your bones don’t have enough calcium and minerals. The lack of nutrition makes them weak and easy to break. Always keep your bones working by eating a healthy diet that contains calcium and dairy products. Mmm! Another way is to exercise, but remember, be safe. Wear helmets, kneepads, and other protective gear while riding bikes and other activities. STAY STRONG! Click here to see my web. Click here to see my poster. Click here to see my bibliography.

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