What if we didn't have bones? - what would happen

Summary

This informative video script delves into the vital role of the human skeleton, emphasizing its importance for movement and protection of organs. It reveals that we start with over 300 bones, which fuse to 206 in adults, and highlights the functions of bone marrow in blood cell production. The script also dispels myths about bones, explaining their living nature composed of collagen and calcium phosphate. Fascinating facts about the largest, smallest, and various types of bones, as well as the significance of joints, are shared to underscore the skeleton's indispensable role in our anatomy.

Takeaways

• 🦴 Skeletons provide a rigid framework that supports and protects our organs, allowing us to maintain an upright posture and move.
• 💪 Bones are living tissues made of collagen for flexibility and calcium phosphate for strength, making them strong and flexible enough to withstand stress.
• 👶 Humans are born with over 300 bones, but as they grow, some bones fuse together, resulting in an adult skeleton of 206 bones.
• 🧬 Bone marrow, found in the hollow centers of many bones, is responsible for producing new red and white blood cells, essential for oxygen distribution and fighting infections.
• 🏆 The largest bone in the human body is the hip bone, which is actually a fusion of six bones.
• 📏 The longest bone is the femur in the thigh, which can account for nearly a quarter of the body's total height.
• 👂 The smallest bone is the stapes, or stirrup bone, in the ear, which is about the size of a grain of rice.
• 👃 The ears and nose do not contain bones but are supported by cartilage, which is lighter and more flexible than bone.
• 🤲 The human hand has 27 bones, and the face has 14, highlighting the complexity of the skeletal system in these areas.
• 🦒 Humans and giraffes have the same number of neck bones, but giraffe vertebrae are significantly longer.
• 🔄 The human body has over 200 movable and semi-movable joints, which facilitate a wide range of movements.

Q & A

What would happen if humans didn't have bones?

Without bones, humans would be floppy like a bean bag, unable to stand or walk, resulting in a puddle of skin and guts on the floor.

What is the purpose of a skeleton in humans and animals?

A skeleton serves as a rigid framework that keeps body parts in place and protects organs, allowing for movement through joints connecting the bones.

Are bones considered to be alive?

Yes, bones are alive, made mostly of collagen for a soft framework and calcium phosphate for strength and hardness.

How do bones stay alive and function?

Bone cells rely on blood for nutrients, oxygen, and waste removal, similar to other cells in the body.

How many bones do humans have at birth and in adulthood?

Humans have over 300 bones at birth, but some fuse together as they grow, resulting in 206 bones in adulthood.

What is bone marrow and why is it important?

Bone marrow is found in the hollow centers of many bones and is responsible for producing new red and white blood cells, essential for oxygen distribution and fighting germs and diseases.

What is the largest bone in the human body?

The largest bone is the hip bone, which is actually made up of six bones joined firmly together.

What is the longest bone in the human body?

The longest bone is the femur in the thigh, which accounts for almost one quarter of the body's total height.

Why don't the ears and nose have bones inside them?

The ears and nose are supported by cartilage, which is lighter and more flexible than bone, allowing them to be bent. Cartilage also rots faster than bone, which is why skulls of skeletons lack nose and ears.

How many bones are in the human hand and face?

The human hand has 27 bones, and the face has 14 bones.

Do humans and giraffes have the same number of neck bones?

Yes, humans and giraffes have the same number of neck bones, but giraffe neck vertebrae are significantly longer.

How many movable and semi-movable joints are there in the human body?

There are over 200 movable and semi-movable joints in the human body.

Why is the skeleton important for the human body?

The skeleton is crucial for protecting organs and aiding in movement, providing the support structure that keeps us upright and walking.