NITTE COLLEGE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, BANGALORE
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
UNIT 2: SKELETAL SYSTEM
1. What is bone? Write the functions of bone with a neat
labeled diagram
Bones are the rigid connective tissue that forms the structure of our
body, known as the skeleton.
Bones are metabolically active in nature.
The adult human body is made up of 206 bones.
Bones are living tissues with blood vessels and various cells.
Bones are made up of proteins, minerals, and vitamins, enabling them
to grow, transform, and repair themselves throughout life.
The primary functions of bone include structural support for the body,
protection of vital organs, production of blood cells and storage of
minerals.
By Lakshmi P, Faculty, Dept of Pharmacology
Composition of Bone:
Bone is composed of cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM).
This extracellular matrix consists of organic components like type 1
collagen, Proteoglycans and glycoproteins and inorganic components
like hydroxyapatite and salts, such as calcium and phosphate.
Collagen gives bone its tensile strength (resistance to pulling apart)
Hydroxyapatite gives the bones compressive strength (resistance to
compression).
bone
extra
bone
cellular
cells
matrix
organic
inorganic
collagen hydroxyapatite calcium
Non-collagen:Proteoglycans phosphate
and glycoproteins
FUNCTIONS OF BONE:
Support and movement
Bones are a site of attachment for ligaments and tendons, providing a skeletal
framework that can produce movement in the body.
Protection
Bones provide protection for internal organs: the cranium around the brain,
the vertebral column surrounding the spinal cord, the ribcage containing the
heart and lungs, and the pelvis protecting the urogenital organs.
By Lakshmi P, Faculty, Dept of Pharmacology
Mineral homoeostasis
Bones are the main reservoirs for minerals like calcium, phosphate and
magnesium in the body. Homeostasis of minerals in the blood is maintained
with minerals stored in the bone and is released in response to the body’s
demands.
Blood-cell formation (haemopoiesis)
The skeleton is the site of hematopoiesis, the development of blood cells that
takes place in the bone marrow. In children, hematopoiesis occurs primarily
in the marrow of the long bones, such as the femur and tibia. In adults, it
occurs mainly in the pelvis, cranium, vertebrae, and sternum.
Triglyceride storage
Yellow bone marrow acts as a potential energy reserve for the body; it
consists largely of adipose cells, which store triglycerides (a type of lipid that
occurs naturally in the blood)
Endocrine function:
Bone cells release a hormone called osteocalcin, which contributes to
regulating blood sugar (glucose) and fat deposition. Osteocalcin increases
both insulin secretion and sensitivity, in addition to boosting the number
of insulin-producing cells and reducing stores of fat.
Storage:
The bone matrix can store calcium and is involved in calcium metabolism,
and bone marrow can store iron as ferritin and is involved in iron
metabolism. However, bones are not entirely made of calcium, but a mixture
of chondroitin sulfate and hydroxyapatite, the latter making up 70% of a
bone. Hydroxyapatite is in turn composed of 39.8% of calcium, 41.4% of
oxygen, 18.5% of phosphorus, and 0.2% of hydrogen by mass. Chondroitin
sulfate is a sugar made up primarily of oxygen and carbon.
By Lakshmi P, Faculty, Dept of Pharmacology
2. Difference between cartilage, tendon and ligament.
Cartilage:
Cartilage is a strong, flexible connective tissue that protects our joints and
bones.
Cartilage acts as a shock absorber throughout your body.
Cartilage lubricates body joints thereby reducing friction between them.
Cartilage helps your joints keep their shape while moving.
Types of cartilage:
Hyaline cartilage.
By Lakshmi P, Faculty, Dept of Pharmacology
Elastic cartilage.
Fibrocartilage.
TENDON:
A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone
The tendon allows the contraction of the muscle, which enables body
movements.
Tendons consist of collagen and elastin embedded in a proteoglycan-water
matrix
Types of tendon
Two types- tenocytes and tenoblasts.
Tenocytes are the spindle-shaped mature tendon cells.
Tenoblasts are spindle-shaped immature tendon cells
LIGAMENT:
The ligament is a tough, fibrous band of connective tissue.
The ligament connects bone to bone.
Ligaments give support to the joint, and limit their movement.
Stretching, tearing or ligament injuries can make the joints unstable.
By Lakshmi P, Faculty, Dept of Pharmacology
