What is a skeleton?

What is a skeleton?

• A. A skeleton is the soft tissue that fills the body's cavities.
• B. A skeleton is the internal framework of bones in an animal's body that provides structure and support.
• C. A skeleton is the collection of muscles that move the limbs.
• D. A skeleton is the outer shell of feathers on a bird.

Answer: (B)

The skeleton is the internal framework of the body made of bones (and cartilage in some animals) that provides structure and support. It gives the body its shape, shields vital organs like the brain and heart, and acts as levers for muscles to produce movement. It also stores minerals and houses bone marrow. This matches the description of an internal framework of bones that provides structure and support. The other descriptions refer to different parts of the body: soft tissue filling cavities would be organs, not the skeleton; muscles move the limbs; and the outer shell of feathers is part of the skin covering, not the internal structural framework.