SKELETAL SYSTEM LAB REPORT

Lauren Willey

THE BONE
The skeletal system provides protection to vital organs, aids in movement, as
well as structure in organisms. Bones also produce red and white blood cells and store
minerals. Anatomical terms are used to describe bones and their appearance, shape,
and structure. Most anatomical terms are derived from Latin and Greek. Ossification is
the formation of bone. Two types of ossification occur in the fetal stage of
development: Intramembranous and endochondral ossification.
In 30 A.D, Celsus, used the Latin term
verto
, to designate any joint or bone of the

spine. Only in later years was the term meaning to turn, used only for the spine. The

sacrum was the last to decay after death, which is how it got its name sacrum meaning
sacred or holy. However in Greek, it meant mighty or great. Galen may have thought of
it as the most important bone in the spine, leading to its name. The radius, proximal to
the body, was named due to its rod-like shape which resembled a spoke of a wheel.
Vertebre

Sacrum

Radius

BONE HISTOLOGY
Making up trabecular bone are trabeculae which are
composed of osteons. These osteons hold osteocytes in
small burrows called lacunae. Canaliculi are
canal-like connections that network the osteocytes. In
the center of the osteon is the central canal, or
Haversain canal where the blood vessels are found.
(Figure 1)
(Fig. 1)

Trabeculae are thin sheets and bars of

bone that form an interconnected
meshwork. the marrow cavity of the
epiphysis fill the space between the
trabeculae with yellow bone marrow.
(Figure 2)

(Fig.2)

Periosteum is a membrane that covers the surface of

bones. Its outer layer is made up of collagen and
contains nerve fibers. Osteoblasts, cells that build
bone, are found in the inner layer. (Figure 3)

(Fig. 3)

BONE MATRIX
Besides the structure and support bones provide, they also have metabolic
functions. 99% of our bodys calcium and 85% of the phosphorus is stored in bones.
irregular levels of calcium can result in loss of muscle and nerve function.
Parathyroid

Hormone (PTH) is a peptide hormone which binds to receptors in the bone and kidney.
The decrease in calcium concentration in the blood and increase in phosphorus
concentration with trigger the secretion of PTH. PTH can send more calcium into the
blood when there is a low concentration by activating osteoclast bone resorption. this
hormone also has the ability to start production of dihydroxyvitamin D for the purpose
of an increase in calcium absorption from the intestine.
The non-mineral part of the bone is the matrix. The most abundant protein in
the body is collagen, which makes up the majority of bone matrix. Osteogenisis
Imperfecta occurs when there is a mutation in the gene for collagen. When one of the
type I collagen genes has a mutation, problems arise when the transcription process
comes. The mutation is transcribed, and the chains formed that normally would coil
into a triple helix, is altered when the mutated chain no longer fits. Therefore, the
abnormal collagen can no longer be secreted out of the cell, leading it to simply
breakdown.
Bone

#1

#2

Applications

Regular bone
straight from
muscle and skin

Bone soaked in
vinegar for over 6
hours

Disease or Disorder

Observations

Bone is strong and

sturdy. White and shiny
covering (Hyaline) Thin
layer of periosteum still
attached. Red areas of
blood. Presence of
articular cartilage.

Osteoporosis
Hypocalcemia

Bone is very flexible, but

not breakable. Bone is
tinged yellow, lack of
white shine. No compact
bone. Collagen is still
present. Lack of
Calcium.

lupus
rheumatoid arthritis

Bone baked in
oven

#3

scleroderma
temporal arteritis

Bone is hard and dry. No

shiny covering. Lack of
fat. Collagen is no longer
present. More flexibility.

The bone matrices of three different bones were observed and identified. Bone #1
resembling our normal bones while bones #2 and #3 portray bones of diseased or
disordered organisms. Safety included the wearing of gloves, goggles, and an apron.

CURRENT BONE RESEARCH

The effects of a collagen-derived biochemical cue (DGEA) on bone cells were
studied by Seung-Wuk Lee and researchers at Bio-Inspired Nanomaterial Lab.
Protein-cellular interfaces play critical role in the development of regenerative
medicines and novel therapeutics. [6] Regenerative medicines may depend on
designed biomimentric materials that closely mimic the natural tissue environment.
Attempting to tackle this problem, they have recently developed novel phage-based
biomimetic nanofiber matrices which can regulate cellular behaviors. In their study,
they engineered the M13 phage to display high densities of the DGEA-peptide and
observed effects on preosteoblasts. They were able to verify that these DGEA-peptides
had the ability to stimulate bone stem cells to outgrow which is lined to osteogenic
differentiation.

FORENSIC CASE STUDIES

Bones are useful tools in forensic case studies. In fact, it aided in resolving the
mysterious murders in 1935 of Isabella Ruxton and her maid Mary Rogerson. The
murderer, Buck Rogerson, made a lame attempt at making their remains
unidentifiable by scattering them about and even cutting the tips of the fingers off to
avoid fingerprinting. After a passerby found some remains, the bodies were
reconstructed in order to identify the victims. Photographic superimpositions was a
3

major key for evidence that led to a successful conviction. A portrait of Mrs. Ruxton
was used to identify the shape of her skull in order to match the evidence found.
(Figure 4)

(Fig. 4) Property of University of Glasgow

REFERENCES
1. The Seung-Wuk Lee Lab - University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved October 23, 2015,
from
http://leelab.berkeley.edu/index.php

2. (2014). Bone Structure and Function. Retrieved October 23, 2015, from
3.
4.

5.

https://depts.washington.edu/bonebio/ASBMRed/structure.html
.
(2007). Blue Histology - Skeletal Tissues - Bone. Retrieved October 23, 2015, from
http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/corepages/bone/bone.htm
.
ACTIVITY 2C: THE ORIGIN OF BONE NAMES STUDENT ... Retrieved October 23, 2015, from
https://teachhealthk-12.uthscsa.edu/sites/teachhealthk-12/files/activity/downloads/Bones%20
Teacher%20Name%20Cards%202C.pdf
.
(2006). Visible Proofs: Forensic Views of the Body: Galleries: Cases ... Retrieved October 23,
2015, from
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/galleries/cases/ruxton_image_2.html