Biology — The Musculoskeletal System

What does the musculoskeletal system do?

it provides support, stability, shape, and movement to the body

Which two systems make up the musculoskeletal system?

the muscular and skeletal systems

What are the functions of the skeleton?

it protects organs, supports and shapes the body, allows movement, and makes blood cells

Where are blood cells produced?

in the marrow of some bones

What are the two divisions of the skeleton?

the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton

What does the axial skeleton include?

the skull, the vertebral column, and the rib cage

What does the appendicular skeleton include?

the shoulder (pectoral) girdle, the limbs, and the hip (pelvic) girdle

What is a joint?

the point where two or more bones meet

What are the three types of joint by movement?

fixed, slightly movable, and freely movable

What is cartilage?

soft connective tissue at joints that acts as a shock absorber and reduces friction

What are ligaments?

connective tissue that attaches bone to bone and stabilises joints

What are tendons?

connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone

What is the difference between ligaments and tendons?

ligaments join bone to bone, while tendons join muscle to bone

What are the three types of muscle tissue?

skeletal, smooth, and cardiac

What is skeletal muscle?

voluntary, striated muscle attached to bones for conscious movement

What is smooth muscle?

involuntary, non-striated muscle in hollow organs and blood vessels

What is cardiac muscle?

involuntary, striated muscle found only in the heart

What does voluntary muscle mean?

muscle you can consciously control

What does involuntary muscle mean?

muscle controlled automatically, not consciously

What does striated mean?

having a striped appearance from the muscle fibre arrangement

How does a muscle contract?

a nerve signal makes myosin filaments pull actin filaments closer, shortening the sarcomeres