In the areas of the skeleton where bones move (for example, the ribcage and joints), cartilage, a semi-rigid form of connective tissue, provides flexibility and smooth surfaces for movement. List and describe the functions of the skeletal systemīone, or osseous tissue, is a hard, dense connective tissue that forms most of the adult skeleton, the support structure of the body.Define bone, cartilage, and the skeletal system.The Functions of the Skeletal Systemīy the end of this section, you will be able to: The bones within it are dynamic and complex organs that serve a number of important functions, including some necessary to maintain homeostasis. Unlike a fossil skeleton, however, your skeleton is a structure of living tissue that grows, repairs, and renews itself. A well-preserved fossil skeleton can give us a good sense of the size and shape of an organism, just as your skeleton helps to define your size and shape.
While the soft tissue of a once living organism will decay and fall away over time, bone tissue will, under the right conditions, undergo a process of mineralization, effectively turning the bone to stone.
Unlike the bones of a fossil made inert by a process of mineralization, a childâs bones will continue to grow and develop while contributing to the support and function of other body systems. Figure 6.1 Child Looking at Bones Bone is a living tissue.