Name:
Skeletons of vertebrates:
The skeleton is a flexible framework made of bone and cartilage. Bones are made of
living cells and minerals such as calcium and phosphate. Bones contain bone marrow,
the blood-forming tissues of the body. Bone marrow is found in long bones and
produces red and white blood cells and blood platelets. Bone marrow stores minerals
and releases them into the blood. Blood vessels run through the bones to allow
oxygen and nutrients to supply growth and development.
Cartilage is made up of living cells and is softer than bones. Cartilage is found
between bones to reduce friction during movement and gives shape to structures such
as the ear and nose.
cartilage
GRADE 5
Grade 5 Term 1 Natural Sciences Life and Living; Animal Skeletons
Skeletons
A human skeleton consists of 206 separate bones. A newborn baby is born with about
300 bones but many of these fuse as the baby grows.
A skeleton is found in all vertebrate animals.
The function of the skeleton is to:
a. Provide support
b. Protect internal organs
c. Provide body movement
d. Produce blood cells
e. Store minerals
The skeleton is divided into the Axial and the Appendicular skeleton.
The axial skeleton forms the central axis of the body and provides support and protection
of internal organs. For example:
1. The skull protects the brain,eyes and ears.
2. The rib cage protects the lungs and heart and allows the breathing movement.
3.The vertebral column supports body weight, protects the spinal cord and provides
surfaces for muscle attachment to maintain an upright posture.
©e-classroom 2014www.e-classroom.co.za
a. Red – The longest bone in the
body is the femur (thigh bone).
Skull
Vertebra
Scapula
Humerus
b. Blue – The patella, otherwise
known as kneecap.
Clavical
Sternum
Rib
d. Green – The spinal cord is made
up of vertebrae.
Radius
e. Orange – the humerus support
the arm muscles.
Ulna
f. Brown – the clavicle otherwise
known as the collarbone.
Pelvis
Carpal
c. Yellow – the sternum otherwise
known as the breastbone.
GRADE 5
Grade 5 Term 1 Natural Sciences Life and Living; Animal Skeletons
The appendicular skeleton lies on either side of the body and allows for movement. For
example:
1. The pectoral girdle forms the shoulders and joins the arms to the axial skeleton.
2. The pelvic girdle forms the hips and joins the legs to the axial skeleton.
3. The hind and fore limbs allow movement.
Activity 1: Use the colours mentioned to colour the following bones:
g. Purple – the tibia otherwise
known as the shinbone.
Phalanges
Femur
Patella
Tibia
Phalanges
Fibula
Tarsals
h. Pink – the bones in fingers and
toes are called phalanges.
Activity 2:
Create a mind map and list ways
how to keep your bones and muscles
healthy.
•
•
•
The smallest bone
is the stirrup bone inside the ear.
Each hand has 26 bones in it.
Your nose and ears are not made of bone; they are made of cartilage, a flexible substance that is not as hard as bone.
©e-classroom 2014www.e-classroom.co.za
skull
S
C
A
P
U
L
A
S
C
T
T
I
H
C
K
L
S
A
E
C
S
A
P
T
L
O
R
sternum
R
N
L
L
E
E
E
F
P
vertebra
N
S
B
A
L
R
T
E
A
humerus
U
A
E
N
V
A
A
M
L
M
L
K
G
I
I
P
U
S
B
U
A
E
S
O
C
R
U
fibula
A
B
N
S
K
U
L
L
R
pelvis
E
I
S
W
R
O
N
R
E
patella
D
F
B
S
H
A
A
R
M
R
A
D
I
U
S
T
M
U
A
R
B
E
T
R
E
V
H
clavicle
scapula
phalanges
tibia
femur
GRADE 5
Grade 5 Term 1 Natural Sciences Life and Living; Animal Skeletons
Activity 3: Skeleton Word Search
Find all the words in the block below on the word search. Take all the letters
remaining in the word search to complete the well-known proverb written below.
radius
ulna
tarsal
carpal
Proverb:
_______________ and _____________ may _______________ my _______________
but _____________ will never __________ me.
Activity 4: Functions of the skeleton
The function of the skeleton is to:
(expand on each point to explain the functions in more detail)
a. Provide support.
b. Protect internal organs.
c. Provide a system of body movement.
d. Produce blood cells.
e. Store minerals.
©e-classroom 2014www.e-classroom.co.za
Activity 1: Learners own work
Activity 2: Create a mind map and list ways how to keep your bones and muscles
healthy.
Suggested answers to look out for: weight bearing exercise; correct posture; avoid
carrying heavy items; wear correct shoes; healthy diet.
Activity 3:
S
C
A
P
U
L
A
S
C
T
T
I
H
C
K
L
S
A
E
C
S
A
P
T
L
O
R
R
N
L
L
E
E
E
F
P
N
S
B
A
L
R
T
E
A
U
A
E
N
V
A
A
M
L
M
L
K
G
I
I
P
U
S
B
U
A
E
S
O
C
R
U
A
B
N
S
K
U
L
L
R
E
I
S
W
R
O
N
R
E
D
F
B
S
H
A
A
R
M
R
A
D
I
U
S
T
M
U
A
R
B
E
T
R
E
V
H
skull
clavicle
scapula
sternum
vertebra
humerus
phalanges
tibia
femur
fibula
pelvis
patella
radius
ulna
tarsal
carpal
Grade 5 Term 1 Natural Sciences Life and Living; Animal Skeletons
GRADE 5
Answer sheet
Proverb Answer:
Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never harm me.
Activity 4: Functions of the skeleton
The function of the skeleton is to:
(expand on each point to explain the functions in more detail)
a. Provides support by allowing the body to stand upright; maintains body shape
b. Protects internal organs. The skull protects the brain and sensory organs; the
rib cage protects the heart; the vertebral column protects the spinal cord
c. Provide body movement. The bones act as levers during movement; bones
provide hard surfaces for the muscles to attach to.
d. Produce blood cells. Bone marrow in the bones produce red and
white blood cells and blood platelets.
e. Store minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.
©e-classroom 2014www.e-classroom.co.za