Topic 6: Support systems in animals

1. Core Content

Skeletons

• Examples of animals with:

- a hydrostatic skeleton,

- an endoskeleton and

- an exoskeleton

Advantages and disadvantages of each.

• Emphasise developmental progression and relate it to the need for support linked to a terrestrial lifestyle.

Human Skeleton

• the axial skeleton: mention of facial bones, cranium, foramen magnum, palate and jaws (to link with human evolution in Grade 12); and

• the appendicular skeleton.

Functions of the Skeleton

• Movement

• Protection

• Support

• Storage of minerals

• Hearing

Structure of a long bone;

• the relationship between the structure and function of the following tissues:

- bone;

- cartilage;

- tendons;

- ligaments.

Joints

• Fixed joints

• Partly movable joints

• Freely movable (synovial) joints. Structure of synovial joints: ball and socket, hinge, pivot and gliding.

The roles of the following in human locomotion:

• bones;

• joints;

• ligaments;

• tendons;

• antagonistic muscles (e.g., biceps/triceps).

• The Structure of voluntary skeletal muscles: Myofibrils and muscle contraction.

• Diseases that affect the skeleton: Rickets in children, osteoporosis, arthritis, etc.