Figure 6.0 Even though a bone like this seems unchanging, in fact bones are alive and constantly remodeling through time. Bones can look very different not only on the outside, but inside too.

Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. List and describe the functions of the skeletal system
  2. Describe the classes of bones
  3. Describe the microscopic and gross anatomical structures of bones
  4. Discuss the process of bone formation and development
  5. Explain how bone repairs itself after a fracture
  6. Discuss the effect of exercise, nutrition, and hormones on bone tissue
  7. Describe how an imbalance of calcium can affect bone tissue

Bones make good fossils. 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. 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. Unlike a fossil skeleton, however, your skeleton is a structure of living tissue that grows, repairs, and renews itself. The bones within it are dynamic and complex organs that serve a number of important functions, including some necessary to maintain homeostasis.


This work, Anatomy & Physiology, is adapted from Anatomy & Physiology by OpenStax, licensed under CC BY. This edition, with revised content and artwork, is licensed under CC BY-SA except where otherwise noted.

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Access the original for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology/pages/1-introduction.

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Mohawk - PN Structure & Function of the Human Body Copyright © 2019 by Lindsay M. Biga, Staci Bronson, Sierra Dawson, Amy Harwell, Robin Hopkins, Joel Kaufmann, Mike LeMaster, Philip Matern, Katie Morrison-Graham, Kristen Oja, Devon Quick, Jon Runyeon, OSU OERU, and OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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