The Vertebrate Skeleton

The vertebrate skeleton provides structural support, protecting internal organs and shaping the body. Composed of bones and cartilage, it offers a framework for movement by anchoring muscles. The skeleton also produces blood cells within bone marrow and stores minerals like calcium and phosphorus. In vertebrates—animals with a backbone—this internal scaffolding varies in size and complexity, from simple structures in fish to elaborate frameworks in mammals. Overall, the skeleton is essential for stability, mobility, and biological functions vital to survival and health.