Welcome!  You have learned the basics about cells.  When a living thing has more than one cell it is called a multicellular organism.  Humans are multicellular organisms, of course!  Groups of similar cells that work together to perform a particular function in the human body are called tissues. For example, muscle tissue is made up of cells that can contract (get shorter) and relax.  This allows the body to move.

   A structure made up of several different types of tissues that all work together to do a particular job in the body is called an organ.  Examples of organs are the heart, the brain, the stomach, etc.  A group of organs that work together to perform a specfic job in the body is called an organ system.  Examples of organ systems are the skeletal system, the circulatory system, etc.

   The human skeletal system serves many important purposes.  It provides shape and support for the body.  It also protects the internal organs.  For example, the bones of the skull protect the brain, and the ribs protect the heart and lungs.  Blood cells are produced in the marrow (soft center part) of the bones.  The skeletal system works together with the muscles to enable the body to move.

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   As you explore the following websites to learn about the skeletal system, you will answer questions on a handout;  it will be turned in to your teacher.  You may click here to print out the handout if your teacher has not already given one to you.

   After you have finished your exploration of each web site, return to this activity page to receive your next assignment.  Just click on the "Back" button on the tool bar at the top of the Netscape Navigator window.

   When you have completed all of the exploration assignments in this activity, you will find a list of "Optional Web Site Explorations".   You may visit those web sites, if you wish, to learn even more about the skeletal system.

   Let's get started!

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   Your web site exploration assignments are listed below.  Begin by clicking on the first web site, "What Are Bones Made Of?"

(1) What Are Bones Made Of? - Human bones are made of three materials.

(2) How Bones Grow - Find out how many bones the human body contains.

(3) It's So Fine...It's Your Spine - The spine allows the body to twist and bend, and it protects the spinal cord..

(4) Ready for the Ribs - The heart, lungs and liver are protected by the ribs.

(5) Salute Your Skull - The skull protects the brain and gives the face its shape.

(6) Give a Hand to the Hand - The wrist and hand have a total of 27 bones!

(7) Love Those Legs - The longest bone in the body is located in the leg.

(8) Joy to My Joints - The body has fixed joints and moving joints.

(9) The Virtual Body - (a)  Click on "English", then "Skeleton", then "Bones Narrated" to see and hear the story of the human skeletal system.  (b) Then click on "Build a Skeleton" to drag bones from a pile and try to arrange them correctly.  (c)  Click on "Zoom  In!" and move the mouse cursor over parts of the skeleton to see an enlarged, detailed image.

(10) Skeleton - At this "Brain Pop" site please watch the movie "Skeletal System".

   Congratulations!  You have completed your web site exploration assignments.  If you wish to learn more about the skeletal system, continue on to the "Optional Web Site Explorations" below.

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(1) Skeleton - This article contains lots of information about the skeleton.

(2) Bone -  Find out about the functions, structures, development and composition of bones.

(3) Skull- This site contains many facts concerning the human skull.

(4) Spine - Learn more about the human spine.

(5) Divisions of the Spine - This is an illustration of the five parts of the human spine.

(6) Joint - Find out how moving joints work.

(7) Main Kinds of Human Joints - This is an illustration of fixed joints and hinged joints.

(8) Cartilage - Find out why cartilage is an important part of the human skeletal syste

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