The Skeleton and Muscles: KS3 Biology Explained

The human skeleton is the internal framework of 206 bones that supports the body, protects vital organs, enables movement, and produces blood cells. Muscles attached to bones contract and relax to produce movement, always working in antagonistic pairs. This topic is a core part of KS3 biology.

What are the functions of the skeleton?

The skeleton has five main functions, which can be remembered using the mnemonic SPMSP:

Support — the skeleton gives the body shape and holds it upright against gravity.

Protection — bones protect soft organs: the skull protects the brain, the ribcage protects the heart and lungs, and the vertebral column protects the spinal cord.

Movement — bones act as levers; muscles pull on them to produce movement at joints.

Storage — bones store minerals, particularly calcium and phosphorus, which can be released into the blood when needed.

Production — red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are produced in the red bone marrow found inside larger bones such as the femur, sternum, and pelvis.

What are the main bones of the human skeleton?

The skeleton is divided into two parts:

Axial skeleton — the central axis of the body, including the skull, vertebral column (spine), sternum, and ribs.

Appendicular skeleton — the limbs and the girdles (shoulder and pelvic) that attach them to the axial skeleton.

Key bones to know for KS3 include:

Skull — 22 bones fused together to protect the brain

Clavicle (collar bone) and scapula (shoulder blade) — form the shoulder girdle

Humerus — upper arm bone

Radius and ulna — lower arm bones

Femur — the largest bone in the body; the thigh bone

Tibia and fibula — lower leg bones

Pelvis — hip girdle connecting the legs to the spine

What are joints and what types exist?

A joint is where two or more bones meet. The type of joint determines the range of movement. For KS3, three types are important:

Joint type | Example | Movement
Fixed (fibrous) | Skull sutures | No movement
Hinge joint | Knee, elbow | Movement in one plane (flexion and extension)
Ball-and-socket joint | Hip, shoulder | Movement in all directions (greatest range)

At a synovial joint (such as the knee or hip), several structures prevent the bones from grinding together and allow smooth movement:

Cartilage — a smooth, slippery tissue covering the ends of bones to reduce friction.

Synovial fluid — a lubricating fluid inside the joint capsule, acting like oil in a machine.

Ligaments — tough, fibrous tissue connecting bone to bone, holding the joint together and preventing dislocation.

How do muscles produce movement?

Muscles can only pull — they cannot push. They generate force by contracting (shortening). To move a joint in two directions, two muscles must work together as an antagonistic pair: when one contracts, the other relaxes.

The biceps and triceps: a worked example

The biceps and triceps in the arm are the classic KS3 example of an antagonistic pair, working at the hinge joint of the elbow:

Bending (flexion) the arm:

The biceps (on the front of the upper arm) contracts — it shortens and pulls the forearm upward.

The triceps (on the back of the upper arm) relaxes — it lengthens to allow the movement.

Straightening (extension) the arm:

The triceps contracts — it shortens and pulls the forearm downward.

The biceps relaxes — it lengthens.

Muscles are attached to bones by tendons — strong, inelastic cords of fibrous connective tissue. Note the difference in KS3 exams:

Tendons connect muscle to bone.

Ligaments connect bone to bone.

A common exam mistake is confusing tendons and ligaments — make sure you know which is which.

Structure of a synovial joint (diagram in words)

Imagine a cross-section through the knee joint:

At the top is the base of the femur, capped with a smooth layer of cartilage.

At the bottom is the top of the tibia, also capped with cartilage.

The space between the bone ends is filled with synovial fluid inside a sealed joint capsule.

On either side, ligaments cross from femur to tibia, preventing the bones from slipping sideways.

The quadriceps muscle above is connected to the tibia by the patellar tendon (via the kneecap).

This structure allows the knee to flex and extend repeatedly for activities like walking or running, with minimal friction.

What is the difference between a tendon and a ligament?

This distinction is regularly tested in KS3 assessments:

A tendon is a cord of fibrous tissue connecting a muscle to a bone. Tendons are inelastic (they do not stretch) so that force from the muscle is transmitted directly to the bone.

A ligament is a band of fibrous tissue connecting bone to bone across a joint. Ligaments are slightly elastic, allowing them to absorb small shocks while holding the joint together.

According to the Department for Education's Science Programmes of Study for Key Stage 3, pupils should be able to describe the relationship between the skeleton, joints, muscles, and tendons, and explain how muscles work in antagonistic pairs.

BBC Bitesize KS3 Biology explains the antagonistic muscle model using the biceps and triceps, and notes that tendons and ligaments are both made of a tough fibrous protein called collagen (see bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/znyycdm).

Frequently asked questions

What are the five functions of the skeleton?

The five functions are: support (keeping the body upright), protection (guarding organs such as the brain and heart), movement (acting as levers for muscles), storage (of minerals such as calcium), and production of blood cells in the red bone marrow.

What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?

Tendons connect muscle to bone; ligaments connect bone to bone. Both are made of fibrous collagen. Tendons transmit the pulling force of a muscle; ligaments hold joints together and prevent dislocation.

How do antagonistic muscles work?

Antagonistic muscles work in pairs: when one contracts (shortens), the other relaxes (lengthens). This is because muscles can only pull, not push. The biceps and triceps at the elbow are the standard KS3 example — the biceps contracts to bend the arm, and the triceps contracts to straighten it.

Why is cartilage important in joints?

Cartilage covers the ends of bones at synovial joints. It is smooth and slightly compressible, which reduces friction and absorbs impact when bones move against each other. Without cartilage, bones would grind together, causing pain and damage — as seen in arthritis.

What is the difference between a hinge joint and a ball-and-socket joint?

A hinge joint (e.g., the elbow or knee) allows movement in only one plane — bending and straightening. A ball-and-socket joint (e.g., the hip or shoulder) has a rounded head of one bone sitting in a cup-shaped socket of another, allowing movement in all directions, including rotation.

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