(a) Functions of the mammalian skeleton include:
(I) Supports it posture and provides to the body e.g. backbones/ vertebrae/pelvic girdle
(ii) It gives protection — e.g. ribcage protects heart/lungs/cranium(skull) protects brain/vertebrae protects spinal cord/pelvic girdle protects female reproductive organs.
(iii) The skeleton helps in the production of blood cells — in the bone/marrow of the long bones
(iv) Storage of calcium is also encourage, e.g., in the bone matrix
(v) Movement/locomotion is enhanced. — any of the limb bones
(vi) Breathing movements — Riles
(vii) Attachment of muscles is facilitated — any bone
(viii) Provision of shape-axial skeleton/grindles etc
(b) Bones and muscles bring about movement at the elbow in the following ways:
(i) Bicep and tricep act antagonistically to bring about movement at the elbow. The bicep is attached to the scapula and radius; while the tricep are attached to the scapula and ulna
(ii) Bicep contracts while tricep relaxes to cause bending/flexing of the forearm
(iii) Tricep contracts while bicep relaxes to cause straightening of the forearm.
(c) Support in herbaceous and woody Plants can come in different ways:
(i) Herbaceous Plant:
(1) By turgidity, water is preserved
(2) Due to the presence of water, vacuoles inside parenchyma cells/living cells
(3) Thickening of walls of collenchyma cell (at the corners).
(ii) Woody Plant:
(1) Sclerenchyma in the cortex
(2) By the Xylem strengthened by deposits of lignin in their walls
(2) Secondary growth/thickening provides extensive wood / secondary xylem and bark.
(d) The vitamin and mineral element necessary for healthy bone development are:
(1) Vitamin — D/Calciferol, Vitamin C (forms the cement of bow)
(2) Mineral elements — calcium/phosphorus/magnesium.