Skeleton
hideIn biology, a skeleton is a rigid framework that provides protection and structure in many types of animal, particularly those of the phylum Chordata and of the superphylum Ecdysozoa. Exoskeletons are external, as is typical of many invertebrates; they enclose the soft tissues and organs of the body. Exoskeletons may undergo periodic moulting as the animal grows. Endoskeletons are internal, as is typical of many vertebrates; they are usually surrounded by skin and musculature, though they often enclose vital organs. Endoskeletons are attachment points for musculature and act as leverage for movement, and in many animals contain marrow, which produces blood cells. Skeletons may or may not be mineralized - human skeletons are calcified, while shark skeletons are cartilaginous - and may be jointed for flexibility and motility or rigid for structural strength.
The average adult human skeleton has around 206 bones. These bones meet at joints, the majority of which are freely movable. The skeleton also contains cartilage for elasticity. Ligaments are strong strips of fibrous connective tissue that hold bones together at joints, thereby stabilizing the skeleton during movement.
For more information about Skeleton, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with skeleton
Scientists: New dinosaur species found in SAfrica
Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils
Nov 11, 2009 |
4.4 / 5 (8) |
0
(AP) -- Scientists say they've discovered a new dinosaur species in South Africa that may help explain how the creatures evolved into the largest animals on land.
Search results for skeleton
Nature's fine designs: Scientists find modern lessons in ancient creations
Dec 04, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (4) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Nature and its bottom-up processes for creating robust and responsive materials are inspiring new generations of synthetic materials and creative design.
Study Unravels Detail of 'Most Important' Cellular Signal
Dec 03, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study provides crucial details that promise to help researchers better understand, and perhaps fine-tune with drugs, one of the most important signaling mechanisms in human cells, according to a study ...
New stem cell technology leads to better treatment for complicated bone fractures
Nov 30, 2009 |
not rated yet |
0
A novel technology involving use of stem cells, developed by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers, has been applied to provide better and rapid healing for patients suffering from complicated bone fractures.
Extinct goat was cold-blooded
Nov 18, 2009 |
4.9 / 5 (39) |
12
(PhysOrg.com) -- An extinct goat that lived on a barren Mediterranean island survived for millions of years by reducing in size and by becoming cold-blooded, which has never before been discovered in mammals.
1.jpg)
Study Pits Man v Machine in Piecing Together 425-Million Years Old Jigsaw
Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils
Nov 16, 2009 |
3.9 / 5 (8) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study pitting academic expertise against a computer in recreating a 425 million-year old jigsaw puzzle has discovered that there is no substitute for wisdom born out of experience.
Chromosomes dance and pair up on the nuclear membrane (w/ Video)
Nov 13, 2009 |
4.7 / 5 (3) |
0
(PhysOrg.com) -- Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually. Yet, how the ...
Study provides first clear idea of how rare bone disease progresses
Nov 12, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
0
An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, is taking the first step in developing a treatment for a rare genetic disorder called fibrodysplasia ...
Vibrations key to efficiency of green fluorescent protein
Nov 11, 2009 |
4.5 / 5 (6) |
1
University of California, Berkeley, chemists have discovered the secret to the success of a jellyfish protein whose green glow has made it the darling of biologists and the subject of the 2008 Nobel Prize ...
List of search results for skeleton
