The Skeletal System Tables 6-16

The Skeletal System PRE-LAB QUESTIONS 1. List the functions of the skeletal system. – The skeletal system helps keep everything in place and protects vital organs. Also important for blood cell production, calcium storage, and endocrine regulation. 2. What material contributes the most to the compressive strength of bone? – Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Carbonate 3. Briefly describe the process of bone remodeling. – The bones must adapt in order to adapt to one’s physical needs so the bone reshapes itself. 4. Research Wolff’s Law. How does the formation of torus mandibularis relate to this theory? – The formation of torus mandibularis relates to this theory because it is correlated with people who grind their teeth. The repetition of teeth being grinded causes the body to produce torus mandibularis. 5. Given your understanding of Wolff’s Law, what mechanical consideration would be important when designing a bioreactor for osteocyte growth ex vivo? The type of cyclical mechanical stimulation would be important when designing a bioreactor for osteocyte growth. EXPERIMENT 1: CLASSIFICATION OF BONES Data Tables Table 6: Classification of Numbered Bones Bone Name Classification by Shape Classification by Location Femur Long Appendicular Carpals Short Appendicular Vertebrae Irregular Axial Frontal Flat Axial Ulna Long Appendicular Sternum Flat Axial Temporal Flat Axial Radius Long Appendicular Tibia Long Appendicular Tarpals Short Appendicular Post-Lab Questions 1. Why is it important to classify bones? - It is important to classify bones because each bone has a unique shape and function. 2. Aside from length, what are some other common characteristics of a long bone? Are long bones typically associated with the axial or appendicular skeleton? – Long bones are typically associated with the appendicular skeleton. Also, their ends are covered with cartilage. The Skeletal System 3. Compare and contrast flat bones and long bones. Flat bones and long bones are both sites for red bone marrow. Flat bones are thin, flat and long, whereas long bones are long and spherical. The Skeletal System EXPERIMENT 2: DIGITAL SLIDE IMAGE EXAMINATION BONE Post-Lab Questions 1. Identify the indicated components in the slide image. A Interstitial Lamellae B Haversian system C Concentric Lamellae D Haversian canals 2. Identify the indicated components in the slide image. A Trabeculae B Marrow Cavity The Skeletal System 3. Compare and contrast the structures of cortical bone and trabecular bone. Cortical bones are much denser than trabecular bones. These bones are found in the shaft of long bones. Trabecular bones are much less dense and are found in the ends of long bones 4. What is the purpose of cortical bone and trabecular bone? – Cortical bones are responsible for support, protection, and storing and releasing chemicals. Trabecular bones are responsible for transferring mechanical loads from the articular surface to the cortical bone. 5. What are trabeculae? What is their function? – Trabeculae are microscopic elements of tissue that anchors a framework of parts within the body. 6. What are Haversian systems? What is their function? Haversian systems are what compact bone tissue is made up of. They allow bones to get oxygen and nutrition without needing to be highly vascular. The Skeletal System EXPERIMENT 3: OWL PELLET DISSECTION Data Tables Table 7: Owl Pellet Observations Pellet Characteristics Observations Pellet Length (cm) 5cm5cm Pellet Width (cm) 3.3cm Physical Observations Dried, oval shaped, brown Table 8: Animal Bone Observations Bone Animal Source Number of Bones Skull Rodent 1 Jaw Rodent 1 Scapula Rodent 1 Rib Rodent 13 Vertebrae Rodent 26 Hindlimb Rodent 4 Forelimb Rodent 4 Pelvic bone Rodent 4 Post-Lab Questions 1. What types of bones did you recover from the pellet? I managed to recover ribs, forelimb, skull, jaw, pelvic bone, and hindlimb. 2. Compare the bones you dissected in the owl pellet to human bones. Which bones are similar, which are different, and why? – The bones are extremely similar, which means the functions are as well. 3. How can scientists use owl pellets to study the skeletal systems of small mammals in a specific ecosystem? - Scientists can use owl pellets to study skeletal systems by using their findings to determine what types of animals could possibly be inhabiting a certain ecosystem. 4. In addition to owls, other birds of prey produce pellets. The contents of these pellets are dictated by where the bird lives. What would you expect to find in a pellet from a shorebird, such as a gull? – You would expect to find all the bones, fur, and feathers that the seagull has consumed. EXPERIMENT 4: EFFECTS OF ACID ON BONE Data Tables Table 9: Effect on Pellet Bones Beaker Observations Water Bones inside of the water sank to the bottom and remained with their rigid texture. Vinegar Some bones floated and some sank. The bones inside the vinegar became much more flexible and their opacity lowered as well. Post-Lab Questions 1. Which group of bones is more flexible? Why is this so? The bones inside of the vinegar were more flexible because the vinegar dissolved the calcium found inside of the bones. 2. What was damaged in the bones placed in vinegar? The vinegar contains acetic acid, and the bones contain calcium carbonate. When these two are combined, it produces calcium acetate which diffuses out the bone when formed. 3. How might the experiment results vary if the same procedure was performed using bones that had not been regurgitated in an owl pellet (such as raw chicken bones)? The bones may have reacted the same as the owl pellets, but it would have been a lengthier process. 4. Some people suffer from a disease called rickets, in which their bones have not been adequately calcified. Which group of bones is most similar to that of a patient with rickets? Why? The second group of bones is most like that of a patient with rickets. This is because the vinegar removed the calcium from the bones, which micked the disease rickets that does not allow people to absorb calcium. The Skeletal System EXPERIMENT 5: PHYSICAL SKELETON – THE AXIAL SKELETON Data Tables Table 15: Cervical Vertebrae Observations Vertebral Feature Size of cervical vertebrae in comparison to those of the thoracic and lumbar region Observations The cervical vertebrae are much larger than the vertebrae located in the thoracic and lumbar region. However, it is not as thick. Shape of the vertebral foramen The shape is triangular Spinous process of the C3 – C6 vertebrae Bifid Spinous process of C3-C6 vertebrae. Spinous process of the C7 vertebra Spinous process is prevalent. Table 16: Thoracic Vertebrae Observations Vertebral Feature Size and weight of the thoracic vertebrae in comparison to those of the cervical and lumbar region Shape of the vertebral body Appearance and projection direction of the spinous process Observations Thicker than the vertebrae in the cervical and lumbar region. Unique shape that is similar to a heart. Long and thick.