Question

Name the three components of the skeleton.

Answer 1

Hint: The internal framework of the human body that comprises a cluster of bones is known as the human skeleton. It is divided into two parts- the axial skeleton that is formed by the rib cage, skull, and other associated bones, and the appendicular skeleton which is formed by shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, and the bones that make limbs.

Complete answer:
The three components of the skeleton are:
1. Bones: Bone is connective tissue. It has four types of cells- osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts, and bone lining cells. It is the main part of the skeleton. It exhibits very important functions as it enables the formation of the body structure of the organism, maintains the rigidity of the body, and protects the internal organs of the body from external force. It also helps in the locomotion of the body and stores calcium and phosphate in the body.
2. Cartilages: Cartilages are smooth tissues that are resilient and elastic. They act like rubber padding and protect the ends of the long bones, joints, and nerves of the body. Cartilages are a structural component of the rib cage, ear, nose, bronchial tubes, and intervertebral discs of the body. They provide rigidity of the body and hence their main purpose is to hold the tubes open in the body. One such example is the rings of the trachea that are made of cartilages that hold the trachea open wide during inhalation.
3. Joints: A joint is a connection between two bones. They are classified by the type of tissue present and the degree of movement they allow. If fibrous tissue is present; the joints are immovable. These joints require maximum pressure to facilitate movement. If cartilaginous tissue is present; the joints are slightly movable. These joints require moderate pressure to facilitate movement. If synovial tissue is present; the joints are easily movable. These joints require very less or no pressure to facilitate movement.

Note:
Anatomy is a study of the structure of body parts in organisms. This is a study that establishes the relationship between body parts and detects their functions. Anatomy is the study of an organism’s posture. The study of the animal skeleton is covered by anatomy.