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Skeletal System

Skeletal System

The body's structural framework that supports organs, provides attachment points for muscles, stores minerals, and produces blood cells.

Support

Provides structure and shape to the body.

Protection

Protects internal organs, such as the skull protecting the brain.

Movement

Functions as a system of levers with muscles to create movement.

Mineral Storage

Stores essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

Blood Cell Production

The process of producing blood cells, primarily occurring in the bone marrow.

Fat Storage

Storage of fat in yellow marrow for energy reserves.

Long Bones

Bones longer than they are wide, found in arms and legs (e.g. femur, humerus).

Short Bones

Cube-like bones found in wrists and ankles (e.g. carpals, tarsals).

Flat Bones

Bones that protect organs and provide attachment sites for muscles (e.g. skull, ribs, sternum).

Irregular Bones

Bones with complex shapes (e.g. vertebrae, hip bones).

Sesamoid Bones

Bones that develop within tendons (e.g. patella or kneecap).

Compact Bone

Dense, strong bone tissue that makes up the outer layer of bone.

Spongy Bone

Less dense bone found at the ends of long bones containing red bone marrow.

Red Marrow

Found in spongy bone; main site of blood cell production.

Yellow Marrow

Found in the shaft of long bones; stores fat.

Osteoblasts

Bone-building cells that synthesize the bone matrix.

Osteoclasts

Bone-resorbing cells that break down bone tissue.

Osteocytes

Mature bone cells that maintain bone tissue.

Ossification

The process of bone formation that occurs during childhood and adolescence.

Bone Remodeling

A continuous process where old bone is replaced by new bone involving osteoclasts and osteoblasts.

Joints

Places where bones meet, allowing for movement.

Fibrous Joints

Joints with no movement (e.g. sutures of the skull).

Cartilaginous Joints

Joints with limited movement (e.g. vertebrae).

Synovial Joints

Freely movable joints containing synovial fluid to reduce friction (e.g. knees, elbows).

Skeletal Muscle

Voluntary muscle under conscious control; moves bones and maintains posture.

Smooth Muscle

Involuntary muscle found in internal organs; moves substances through organs.

Cardiac Muscle

Involuntary muscle found in the heart; pumps blood throughout the body.

Muscle Fiber

The basic unit of a muscle, containing myofibrils made of sarcomeres.

Sarcomere

The functional unit of contraction, consisting of actin and myosin.

Sliding Filament Theory

Theory explaining muscle contraction by actin and myosin filaments sliding past each other.

Neuromuscular Junction

The point where a motor neuron communicates with a muscle fiber.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate, required for muscle contraction and relaxation.

Isotonic Contraction

Muscle changes length (e.g., lifting a weight).

Concentric Contraction

Muscle shortens during contraction.

Eccentric Contraction

Muscle lengthens during contraction.

Isometric Contraction

Muscle tension increases without changing length (e.g., holding a plank).

Blood

A connective tissue that transports substances throughout the body and is vital for homeostasis.

Plasma

The liquid component of blood, mostly water, containing nutrients, hormones, and waste products.

Red Blood Cells (RBCs)

Cells transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues and returning carbon dioxide.

Hemoglobin

Protein in RBCs that binds oxygen.

White Blood Cells (WBCs)

Cells part of the immune system that help fight infections.

Neutrophils

Type of WBC that fights bacteria.

Lymphocytes

B-cells and T-cells involved in immune response.

Monocytes

WBCs that become macrophages and engulf pathogens.

Eosinophils

WBCs that combat parasites and are involved in allergic reactions.

Basophils

WBCs that release histamine during allergic reactions.

Platelets

Cell fragments essential for blood clotting.

ABO Blood Types

System determining blood type based on A and B antigens.

Type A Blood

Blood type with A antigens on RBCs and anti-B antibodies in plasma.

Type B Blood

Blood type with B antigens on RBCs and anti-A antibodies.

Type AB Blood

Universal recipient blood type with A and B antigens; no antibodies.

Type O Blood

Universal donor type with no antigens and both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

Rh Factor

An important blood group system that can be Rh+ or Rh-.

Transportation of Blood

Function of blood to carry oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste.

Regulation of Blood

Helps maintain body temperature, pH, and fluid balance.

Protection in Blood

WBCs protect against infection, platelets help in blood clotting.

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.

Veins

Blood vessels that carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart.

Capillaries

Tiny vessels where gas, nutrient, and waste exchange occurs.

Pathway of Blood through the Heart

The route blood takes through the heart during circulation.

Right Atrium

Chamber where deoxygenated blood enters from the body.

Right Ventricle

Chamber that pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Left Atrium

Chamber where oxygenated blood returns from the lungs.

Left Ventricle

Chamber that pumps oxygenated blood to the body.

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell production in the bone marrow.

Muscle Contraction

The process by which muscles generate force to produce movement.

Muscle Tissue Types

Includes skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle types.

Intercalated Discs

Structures in cardiac muscle that allow synchronized contraction.

Myofibrils

Long strands in muscle fibers composed of sarcomeres.

Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine

Chemical released at the neuromuscular junction to trigger muscle contraction.

Synovial Fluid

Liquid in synovial joints that reduces friction.

Bone Marrow Function

Site for blood cell production and fat storage.

Compact vs Spongy Bone

Compact bone is dense and outer; spongy bone is less dense and inner.

Calcium and Phosphorus

Essential minerals stored in the bones.

Joint Types

Fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints based on movement capabilities.

Skeletal Muscle Characteristics

Voluntary, striated, and responsible for bone movement.

Cardiac Muscle Characteristics

Involuntary, striated, found only in the heart.

Smooth Muscle Characteristics

Involuntary, non-striated, and found in walls of internal organs.

Osteoblast Function

Synthesize new bone matrix.

Osteoclast Function

Break down old bone tissue.

Osteocyte Function

Maintain and monitor bone tissue.

Patella

A semoid bone also known as the kneecap.

Femur

The longest bone in the human body.

Humerus

The long bone of the upper arm.

Spinal Column

A series of irregular bones called vertebrae.

Ribcage

Structure that protects heart and lungs.

Skull

Flat bones that encase the brain.

B-cells

Lymphocytes that produce antibodies.

T-cells

Lymphocytes that attack infected cells.

Macrophages

WBCs that engulf pathogens.

Energy Reserves in Bones

Fat stored in yellow bone marrow.

Hematopoiesis Location

Occurs in red bone marrow.

Functional Unit of Muscle

Sarcomere.

Contraction Mechanics

Involves sliding filament theory between actin and myosin.

Actin and Myosin

Proteins that make up filaments in muscle contraction.

Muscle Fiber Composition

Myofibrils which consist of repeating sarcomeres.

Types of Blood Circulation

Systemic and pulmonary circulation.

Arterioles

Small arteries leading into capillaries.

Venules

Small veins leading from capillaries.