NS!

-BIOLOGY

Pre-Final Activity 3

Name:_______________________________________________ Date:____________________

Course/Section:_______________________________________Score:____________________

Support System and Movement

a. Support and Movement in Animals

b. Support and Movement in Men

Support and Movement

Support and Movement in Animals:

Animals have various support and movement systems depending on their structural makeup,
which allows them to interact effectively with their environment. Two primary systems in
animals are:

1. Exoskeletons:

o Found in arthropods (e.g., insects, spiders, and crustaceans), the exoskeleton is a

hard, external covering that provides both protection and support.

o It is made of chitin, a strong, flexible substance.

o While providing significant protection and structural support, exoskeletons limit

growth, necessitating periodic molting for the animal to increase in size.

2. Endoskeletons:

o Vertebrates, including fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, have an

internal skeleton (endoskeleton).

o Made primarily of bone and cartilage, the endoskeleton grows with the organism
and supports the body’s structure.

o The skeleton works with the muscular system to facilitate movement through the
contraction and relaxation of muscles attached to bones by tendons.

o The vertebrate endoskeleton is divided into two main parts: the axial skeleton
(skull, vertebral column, and rib cage) which protects vital organs, and the
appendicular skeleton (limbs and girdles) which facilitates movement.

3. Hydroskeletons: A hydroskeleton, also known as a hydrostatic skeleton, is a type of

skeletal system found in many soft-bodied animals, providing support and facilitating
movement without the need for hard structures like bones or exoskeletons.
Hydroskeletons utilize fluid pressure within a closed cavity to maintain their shape and
enable locomotion.

Key Features and Functions:

1. Structure:
o A hydroskeleton consists of a fluid-filled cavity surrounded by muscle layers. The
fluid is typically incompressible, allowing it to act as a support structure.
o The cavity may be a coelom (a body cavity completely lined with mesoderm) or a
pseudocoelom (a body cavity not entirely lined with mesoderm), depending on the
organism.
2. Mechanism of Movement:

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 oMovement is achieved through the contraction and relaxation of muscles
surrounding the fluid-filled cavity.
o When the muscles contract, they change the shape of the cavity, pushing the fluid
in different directions, which causes the body to extend or contract.
o This allows the organism to perform various types of movements such as
crawling, burrowing, and swimming.
3. Examples in Nature:
o Annelids (e.g., Earthworms): Earthworms use their hydroskeleton to burrow
through soil. Circular and longitudinal muscles alternately contract and relax,
pushing the fluid within their body cavity to elongate and shorten their bodies.
o Cnidarians (e.g., Jellyfish): Jellyfish use a hydroskeleton to propel themselves
through water. They have a bell-shaped body filled with fluid, and by contracting
their muscles, they can expel water from their body cavity, allowing them to
move.
o Nematodes (e.g., Roundworms): Roundworms use a pseudocoelom and
longitudinal muscles to wriggle and move through their environments.

Advantages of Hydroskeletons:

 Flexibility and Adaptability: Hydroskeletons allow animals to navigate through

complex and tight spaces, such as soil or water, with high flexibility.
 Low Energy Requirement: Maintaining a hydroskeleton requires less energy compared
to the upkeep of rigid structures like bones or exoskeletons.
 Effective for Soft-Bodied Animals: Provides an efficient means of support and
movement for organisms lacking hard tissues.

Limitations:

 Limited Structural Support: Hydroskeletons do not provide the same level of

protection and structural support as exoskeletons or endoskeletons, making these
organisms more vulnerable to physical damage.
 Dependence on Water: The functionality of a hydroskeleton relies on the presence of
fluid, meaning dehydration can severely impair the organism's ability to move and
maintain shape.

By employing a hydroskeleton, many soft-bodied animals can effectively support themselves and
move in their respective environments, showcasing a remarkable evolutionary adaptation to their
ecological niches.

Support and Movement in Humans:

Humans, being vertebrates, have a complex endoskeleton that provides support and enables
movement.

1. Skeletal System:

o Comprised of 206 bones in adults, the human skeleton provides structural support,
protects internal organs, facilitates movement, stores minerals, and produces
blood cells.

o The human skeleton is divided into the axial skeleton (skull, spine, ribs, and
sternum) and the appendicular skeleton (shoulders, arms, hands, pelvis, legs, and
feet).

2. Muscular System:

o The human body has three types of muscles: skeletal, smooth, and cardiac.

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 o Skeletal Muscles: These muscles are attached to bones and are responsible for
voluntary movements. They work in pairs (antagonistic muscles) – while one
muscle contracts, the other relaxes.

o Smooth Muscles: Found in the walls of internal organs (e.g., stomach, intestines,
blood vessels), these muscles control involuntary movements.

o Cardiac Muscle: Found only in the heart, this muscle is responsible for pumping
blood throughout the body.

3. Joints:

o Joints are points where two bones meet and are crucial for movement.

o They are classified into several types, including:

 Hinge Joints: (e.g., knees and elbows) that allow movement in one
direction.

 Ball-and-Socket Joints: (e.g., shoulders and hips) that permit rotational

movement.

 Pivot Joints: (e.g., neck) that allow for rotation.

 Gliding Joints: (e.g., wrists) that permit sliding movements.

4. Tendons and Ligaments:

o Tendons: Connect muscles to bones, transmitting the force from muscle

contractions to move the bones.

o Ligaments: Connect bones to other bones at joints, providing stability and

support.

By understanding the support and movement mechanisms in both animals and humans, we can
appreciate the remarkable adaptations that enable diverse forms of mobility and interaction with
the environment. These systems are fundamental not only to movement but also to the overall
health and functioning of organisms.

Multiple Choice Test: Support System and Movement

1. A bird flaps its wings to take off. Which type of muscle is primarily responsible for this
movement?
o A) Cardiac muscle
o B) Smooth muscle
o C) Skeletal muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
2. When a worm moves through the soil by contracting and relaxing its body segments,
which type of skeletal system is it using?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) None
3. During an intense workout, a human's heart rate increases significantly. Which type of
muscle is responsible for this increased heart rate?
o A) Smooth muscle
o B) Skeletal muscle
o C) Cardiac muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle

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4. A fish swims through water by moving its fins and tail. Which skeletal system supports
this movement?
o A) Exoskeleton
o B) Hydroskeleton
o C) Endoskeleton
o D) No skeleton
5. A child jumps up and down on a trampoline. Which type of muscle is primarily involved
in this movement?
o A) Cardiac muscle
o B) Smooth muscle
o C) Skeletal muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
6. When a person swallows food, which type of muscle helps move the food down the
esophagus?
o A) Skeletal muscle
o B) Cardiac muscle
o C) Smooth muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
7. A snake slithers across the ground using wave-like movements. Which skeletal system
supports this movement?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) None of the above
8. After a rigorous run, a runner cools down and their heart rate returns to normal. What is
primarily responsible for this regulation?
o A) Smooth muscle
o B) Skeletal muscle
o C) Cardiac muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
9. When a spider moves its legs, which type of skeletal system is it using?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) No skeleton
10. A person bends their arm at the elbow to lift a weight. Which type of muscle is primarily
involved?
o A) Cardiac muscle
o B) Smooth muscle
o C) Skeletal muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
11. An octopus uses its arms to manipulate objects. Which type of skeletal system supports
this flexibility?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) None of the above
12. A person feels their heart beating faster when they are excited. Which type of muscle is
responsible for this increased heart rate?
o A) Smooth muscle
o B) Skeletal muscle
o C) Cardiac muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
13. A crab walks sideways using its legs. Which type of skeletal system supports this
movement?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) None of the above
14. A person flexes their calf muscles while standing on tiptoe. Which type of muscle is
primarily involved?

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 o A) Cardiac muscle
o B) Smooth muscle
o C) Skeletal muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
15. When a frog jumps into the water, which skeletal system supports its powerful leap?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) None of the above
16. A person performs a bicep curl at the gym. Which type of muscle is primarily involved in
this activity?
o A) Cardiac muscle
o B) Smooth muscle
o C) Skeletal muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
17. A jellyfish propels itself through the water by contracting and relaxing its body. Which
type of skeletal system supports this movement?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) None of the above
18. A person’s intestines move food through the digestive tract. Which type of muscle
facilitates this movement?
o A) Cardiac muscle
o B) Smooth muscle
o C) Skeletal muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle
19. A beetle retracts its legs when touched. Which type of skeletal system supports this
defensive movement?
o A) Endoskeleton
o B) Exoskeleton
o C) Hydroskeleton
o D) None of the above
20. A person stretches their back and feels a relieving sensation. Which type of muscle is
primarily involved in this movement?
o A) Cardiac muscle
o B) Smooth muscle
o C) Skeletal muscle
o D) Involuntary muscle

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Prepared By: Lester Jhon O. Maitim, LPT
Instructor