3 Skeletons

The three forms of skeletons in the animal kingdom are: hydrostatic skeletons, exoskeletons, and endoskeletons. Hydrostatic skeletons are found in cnidarians, worms, and many mollusks. It consists of a fluid filled sac in which the fluid is good support, however, it is formless. Animals with hydrostatic skeletons have two sets of antagonistic muscles (muscles that work in opposition to each other). These muscles are longitudinal muscles and circular muscles, which both help the animal maintain its shape. Exoskeletons are on the outside of bodies of arthropods. They vary in thickness, but are all thin and flexible at the joints to allow the animal to move freely. Endoskeletons are found inside the bodies of humans and other vertebrates. They encase and provide support for internal organs while being under the skin. …show more content…
The human skeleton performs many functions in the human body. It supports the body and covers soft internal organs which would otherwise get easily damaged. It provides locomotion, even though muscle contractions are needed for movement, bones are what actually moves the body in various ways and are attached to skeletal muscle. The skeleton helps a human being run, walk, swim, etc. The skeleton also takes part in the production of blood cells. Red bone marrow produces white blood cells which aid in the immune system, as well as red blood cells which circulate and carry oxygen throughout the body. Bones are also a good storage for various minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Bones absorb and release minerals as the body needs them. Yellow bone marrow found in bones is used to store energy reserves. Some bones also help our senses such as how the bones of the middle ear transmit vibrations to the inner ear and