Question

How many bones are babies born with?

Answer 1

Hint: Bones form the endoskeleton in the vertebrates. Endoskeleton is the hard part present inside the body of an animal that provides it strength and flexibility. These are located internal to the muscles and consist of cartilages and other tissues also.

Complete answer:
Bone is a connective tissue that consists of a tough matrix containing cells in fluid filled lacunae, collagen fibres, blood vessels, nerves and fat deposits. Strength of the bone is due to the presence of collagen fibres and mineral matter in its matrix. Collagen fibres give bone some flexibility and most of its ability to withstand tension. The mineral matter consists mainly of calcium phosphate. It gives birth to its considerable ability to withstand compression and side sleeping. Bones grow to provide for the increase in size and strength of the body. New material is added to the outer surface and the ends, while old material is destroyed to enlarge the internal cavity for the bone marrow. Bone growth protein is present in the intercellular material of the bone which is released by fracture and this induces and differentiated cells to differentiate into bone forming cells. The amount of bone growth protein declines with age and this causes osteoporosis.
The body of a baby has approximately 300 bones at birth. Eventually, these fuse together to form the 206 bones that adults have. All the bones of a baby are completely constructed from a special substance called cartilage. This cartilage is flexible and smooth. As we grow, the cartilage grows throughout childhood and is eventually replaced by bone, with the aid of calcium.

Note: The bones help provide a framework to the skeleton of the body. It gives support to the body against gravity. They also form systems of levers which are moved by muscle contraction. The movement of bones causes movement of body parts.