The Skeletal and Muscular System

Select a course.

arrow_back

infoWhy this? The skeleton supports the body, protects vital organs, stores minerals, and works with joints and muscles to produce movement. Exploring bones, connective tissues, and antagonistic muscle pairs enables us to explain both normal movement and the effects of injuries such as fractures and tendon ruptures.

scheduleWhy now? This unit develops primary knowledge of skeletons and animal movement into a detailed study of the human musculoskeletal system. Following Cells and Organisation, it provides a clear example of specialised tissues, organs, and systems working together, while introducing force measurement and data handling used elsewhere in science.

The human skeleton is made up of bones such as the skull, vertebral column, ribs, sternum, pelvis, humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, fibula, scapula, clavicle, and phalanges.
The human skeleton provides support, protection for vital organs, enables movement, produces blood cells in bone marrow, and stores minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.
The skull protects the brain.
The ribcage protects the heart and lungs.
The vertebral column protects the spinal cord and supports the body.
The pelvis supports the lower organs and anchors the legs.
Fractures are breaks in bones and include types such as simple (closed) and compound (open).
Fractures are investigated using imaging techniques such as X-rays.
Joints are found where two or more bones meet, such as the knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, and between the vertebrae.
The main types of joints are ball and socket joints, hinge joints, pivot joints, fixed (immovable) joints, and gliding joints.
Ball and socket joints are found in the shoulder and hip.
Hinge joints are found in the knee and elbow.
Pivot joints are found in the neck (atlas and axis).
Fixed (immovable) joints are found in the skull sutures.
Gliding joints are found in the wrist and ankle.
A ball and socket joint consists of a spherical bone end (the ball) fitting into a cup-like cavity (the socket), allowing movement in multiple directions.
Hinge joints allow movement in one plane, enabling flexion and extension.
Tendons are strong, fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones.
Ligaments are tough, elastic connective tissues that connect bones to other bones at joints.
Tendons appear as shiny, white, cord-like structures.
Ligaments are tough, slightly elastic bands.
When a tendon ruptures, the connection between muscle and bone is lost, resulting in loss of movement and possible pain and swelling.
Major muscle groups include the biceps at the front of the upper arm, triceps at the back of the upper arm, quadriceps at the front of the thigh, hamstrings at the back of the thigh, pectorals in the chest, deltoids at the shoulders, abdominals at the front of the abdomen, and gluteals in the buttocks.
Antagonistic muscles are pairs of muscles that work against each other to move bones, such as the biceps and triceps in the arm.
Antagonistic muscles help humans to move by contracting one muscle to move a bone in one direction while the opposing muscle relaxes, and vice versa.

rocket_launchYou must be able to

Accurately label a diagram of the human skeleton with key bones.
Label the location of different muscle groups on a diagram of the human body.
Identify and name the type of joint present at specific locations in the body and give an example of each.
Describe and annotate the structure of a ball and socket joint, including the ball, socket, cartilage, synovial fluid, and ligaments.
Explain, using diagrams or models, how hinge joints enable movement in one plane.
Analyse data, such as force measurements, to determine which individual has the greatest muscle strength.
Design and carry out an investigation to measure the strength of different muscles, including controlling variables and recording data.
Plot a graph to show the force exerted by different muscles, with correctly labelled axes and units.
Give examples of antagonistic muscle pairs and describe, using diagrams or models, how they work together to produce movement.

Curriculum Portal