Bones and Skeletons — Biology (Grade 7)

Define and explain Bones and Skeletons in your own words
Use key terms such as skeleton accurately
Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic

This lesson focuses on Bones and Skeletons: learn how the skeleton supports the body, protects delicate organs and helps us move.

Definition: Bones and Skeletons

Learn how the skeleton supports the body, protects delicate organs and helps us move.

Key ideas

What the skeleton does

The skeleton has three jobs: it supports the body and gives it shape, it protects delicate organs (the skull protects the brain, the ribs protect the heart and lungs), and it works with muscles attached to bones to produce movement. Babies are born with about 300 bones, some of which fuse together as they grow.

Staying healthy

A balanced diet gives the body energy and the nutrients it needs to grow and repair. Regular exercise strengthens muscles, bones and the heart. Good hygiene, such as washing hands before eating and brushing teeth twice a day, stops germs spreading and protects teeth. Enough sleep lets the body and brain recover.

Key term — skeleton: The framework of bones that supports the body, protects organs and works with muscles to allow movement.

Worked example: Bones and Skeletons

Give two jobs of the skeleton.

Any two of: supports the body and gives it shape; protects delicate organs such as the brain, heart and lungs; works with muscles to allow movement.

Answer: Any two of: supports the body and gives it shape; protects delicate organs such as the brain, heart and lungs; works with muscles to allow movement.

Common mistakes

Saying the skull protects the heart The skull protects the brain. The ribs protect the heart and lungs.
Thinking bones are dead and dry Bones are living tissue with a blood supply. They grow, repair themselves when broken, and need calcium and exercise to stay strong.

Practice

Give two reasons why exercise keeps you healthy.

Think about muscles and the heart.

Any two of: strengthens muscles and bones; keeps the heart healthy; helps maintain a healthy weight; improves mood and sleep.

Why should you wash your hands before eating?

What might be on your hands?

To remove germs picked up from surfaces, which could otherwise be transferred to food and cause illness.

Name the five senses and the organ used for each.

Sight uses the eyes.

Sight – eyes; hearing – ears; smell – nose; taste – tongue; touch – skin.

Why does food taste bland when you have a cold?

Which two senses work together?

Because smell and taste work together to create flavour, and a blocked nose stops you smelling the food properly.

Quick check

Bones and Skeletons — quick check

Which of these best defines "skeleton"?

The framework of bones that supports the body, protects organs and works with muscles to allow movement.

Name the four main food groups in a balanced diet.

Fruit and vegetables, carbohydrates, protein, and dairy (with small amounts of fats and oils).

Key takeaways

Bones and Skeletons: learn how the skeleton supports the body, protects delicate organs and helps us move.
What the skeleton does: The skeleton has three jobs: it supports the body and gives it shape, it protects delicate organs (the skull protects the brain, the ribs protect the heart and lungs), and it works with muscles attached to bones to produce movement.
joint: A place where two bones meet, such as the knee or elbow, allowing the body to bend and move.
Watch out for: saying the skull protects the heart

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