Support and Movement in Animals

Syllabus tag: KCSE | Biology | Form 4 | Topic 4 Support and Movement

Lesson objectives

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• Describe the types of skeleton and the functions of the mammalian skeleton.
• Describe the axial and appendicular skeleton and named bones.
• Describe joints and the action of antagonistic muscles.
• Explain movement in a named mammal, fish and bird.

Summary

Animals are supported by an exoskeleton, an endoskeleton, or a hydrostatic skeleton. Mammals have an endoskeleton of bone and cartilage, providing support, protection, movement, blood cell production and mineral storage. Movement results from muscles pulling on bones across joints, and because muscles can only pull, they must work in antagonistic pairs.