The Essential Framework of Humans: The Function of our Bones
Bones are the backbone of the human body, serving three primary functions: support, protection, and movement.
Support and Structure
Bones form the body's framework, giving it shape, rigidity, and posture. They support muscles, tissues, and organs, helping to maintain the body's overall form and enabling standing and movement. 1, 2, 4, 5
Protection
Bones protect internal organs from injury. For example, the skull shields the brain, the rib cage guards the heart and lungs, and other bones protect organs such as the spinal cord and pelvic organs. 1, 3, 4, 5
Facilitating Movement
Bones work in coordination with muscles and joints to produce movement. Muscles attach to bones via tendons; when muscles contract, they pull on bones which act as levers, enabling locomotion and various physical activities. 1, 4
Additional important functions of bones include mineral storage, blood cell production, and remodeling and repair. 2, 3
Bones combine collagen (for flexibility) and minerals (for strength), enabling them to be strong yet resilient enough to absorb impact and prevent fractures during daily activities. 2
Additional Fun Facts
- The spine also protects the spinal cord, which runs through the centre.
- The human skeleton is made up of all our bones and grows as we grow.
- The skull provides protection for the brain.
- To keep bones healthy, one can learn about methods to do so and practice fixing broken bones on a doll with Modroc.
- The Imagination Tree offers a fun math game focused on bones.
- A human has 206 bones, with 26 bones in the human foot.
- This content is suitable for Key Stage 1 Science.
Sources:
[1] Anatomy & Physiology. (n.d.). Bones. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279335/
[2] NHS UK. (2021). The human skeleton. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/the-human-skeleton/
[3] KidsHealth. (n.d.). The Human Skeleton. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://www.kidshealth.org/en/kids/bones.html
[4] BBC Bitesize. (n.d.). The Human Skeleton. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z399q6f/revision/1
[5] Fun at Home with Kids. (n.d.). Life-size Skeleton for Kids. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://funathomewithkids.com/life-size-skeleton-for-kids/
[6] I Can Teach My Child. (n.d.). Muscles and Bones. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://icanteachmychild.com/muscles-and-bones/
[7] Emma Vanstone. (n.d.). Halloween Science Experiments and Fun Ideas for Learning About the Human Body. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://www.emmavanstone.com/halloween-science-experiments-and-fun-ideas-for-learning-about-the-human-body/
[8] The Imagination Tree. (n.d.). Bone Math Game. Retrieved October 17, 2021, from https://www.theimaginationtree.com/2014/09/bone-math-game.html
1 Children can learn about the human skeleton's role in support and structure through educational activities and science experiments.
2 In addition to learning, kids can explore the combination of collagen and minerals in bones, which gives them strength and resilience, through fun health-and-wellness related fitness-and-exercise routines.
3 Protecting internal organs is another important function of bones, as demonstrated by the skull protecting the brain, the rib cage guarding the heart and lungs, and so on.
4 Bones work together with muscles and joints in enabling movement, making activities like sports and dance vital for maintaining bone health in children.
5 Furthermore, kids can educate themselves on methods for keeping bones healthy, such as fixing broken bones on a doll using Modroc, and engage in fun, educational games like the bone-themed math game offered by The Imagination Tree.
