Why do you think bone (rather than cartilage) is used to build the skeleton? Can you think of some advantages and disadvantages of each type of material?
1 Answer
Oct 31, 2017
Primarily strength and rigidity.
Explanation:
This is a nice application of engineering concepts to biological structures. WHAT is the purpose of a skeleton? Why are hard bones found in land animals but not in sea life?
What are the properties of cartilage and bone? Which is better for building a structure, and which is better for movement? What are the limitations of each material?
A need for support against gravity on a hard surface requires a stronger, less flexible material. Swimming life has more support for its weight from the water itself, and needs more flexibility in movement.
