CHAPTER 8
Support & Movement
CHAPTER 8
Support & Movement
UNIT 8.1 Understanding the support system
in animals
Explain the various support system in vertebrates and
invertebrates
Compare and contrast the support system between land and
aquatic vertebrates
Compare and contrast the support system between land &
aquatic invertebrates
The reasons for animals to have
a support system is :-
to support the body
to provide body shape
to assist body movements.
The 3 basic types of skeletons in animals
SUPPORT SYSTEMS IN ANIMALS
VERTEBRATES INVERTEBRATES
ENDOSKELETON
HYDROSTATIC
EXOSKELETON
SKELETON
ENDOSKELETON
(a) Also known as the internal skeleton.
(b) Located inside the body of all vertebrates includes
human beings.
(c) Made up of bones or cartilages.
Functions: -
(a) Supports body weight
(b) Maintains body shape
(c) Protects soft internal organs
(d) Provide points for the attachment of muscles
(e) Allows free movement
EXOSKELETON
(a) Also called the external skeleton
(b) Hard outer skin or shell of invertebrates
(c) Made of cuticle or calcium carbonate
(d) Examples of animals: Centipede, ant, crab
Functions: -
(a) Maintain body shape and support body weight
(b) Protects internal organs
(c) Provides places for the attachment of muscles
(d) Allows movement of body parts
HYDROSTATIC SKELETON
(a) Consists of a muscular wall which encloses a body
cavity that is filled with fluid
(b) This body fluid pushes out and exerts pressure in all
directions
(c) This body fluid pressure, called hydrostatic pressure
gives support and shape to the animal.
(d) A type of support system for some invertebrates like
earthworm, leech, jellyfish and caterpillar.
Functions: -
(a) Support & maintains body shape as well as rigidity
(b) Supports & protects internal tissues & organs
(c) Allows invertebrates to bend, straighten & move
Comparison of the Endoskeleton between
Aquatic Vertebrates and Land Vertebrates
Land Vertebrates Aquatic vertebrates
Similarities
•Have endoskeleton
•Have pectoral & pelvic girdles
•Have flexible bones
Differences
Big & strong Endoskeleton Small & weak
Small Pectoral & pelvic girdles Small
Body weight supported Body weight supported
by the buoyancy of water
Support by the buoyancy of water
Comparison of the Support systems in land
& aquatic invertebrates
Land Invertebrates Aquatic Invertebrates
Similarities
•Both are supported by either
exoskeleton or hydrostatic
skeleton
Differences
Hard & made of cuticle
except for shells of snails Structure of exoskeleton Hard & made of calcium
which are made of carbonate
calcium carbonate
Body weight supported Body weight supported
by external skin or shell
Support by the buoyancy of water
CHAPTER 8
Support & Movement
UNIT 8.2 Understanding the support system
in plants
Explain the various support system in plants
Classify plants based on their support systems
Various Support Systems in Plants
Buttress roots Prickles tendrils
Stilt roots
Thorns
Prop roots Clasping roots
Buttress roots
• Thick support roots that grow from the stem
above the ground
• These roots hold the tree firmly to the ground,
giving it extra support
• Examples :
Angsana tree,
casuarina tree,
durian tree
Prop roots
• Roots which grow from the stem or branches
into the ground for support
• Examples :
Banyan tree
Pandan plant
Maize plant
Prickles
• An outgrowth of the epidermis and
can be easily removed from the stem
• Examples :
Rose shrub
Tendrils
• Curly string-like structures modified
from stems and leaves.
• Curl and twine round parts of other
plants or objects to help the plant to
climb
• Examples :
Cucumber
Bitter gourd
pumpkin
Clasping roots
• Roots that grip onto other plants or
structures to get support.
• Examples :
Money plant
Betel vine (sirih)
Thorns
• Sharp modified branches that cannot
be easily removed
• Act as hooks to hold on to supports.
• Examples :
Bouganvillea shrub
Crown of thorns plant
Stilt roots
• Roots that develop from the main
stem and grow into the ground for
support.
• Examples :
Mangrove tree
Buoyancy - (Aquatic Plants)
• Aquatic plants cannot stay upright on land because their stems are non-woody & soft
• Aquatic plants can stay upright in water because their weights are supported by the buoyancy of water
• Some aquatic plants have many air sacs in their stems & leaves. These structures make them light so that
they can float on water.
• Some aquatic plants have tiny leaves to ensure that they are not disrupted by the flow of water.
Examples :
Lotus
Water hyacinth
Water lettuce
Hydrilla
Support Systems in Plants
Features Herbaceous Woody
Scattered
wooden Rings of
Structure of stem tissues woody
tissues
Little woody tissue with Little woody tissue with
few xylem cells few xylem cells
Supported by the turgidity Supported by woody
of cells tissues
Support Cannot support a heavy Can support a heavy
weight weight
- Balsam plant -Durian tree
Examples -Spinach - Angsana tree
Support Systems in Woody Plants
The wood tissues provide stronger support.
Normally on taller plants.
Rambutan tree
Durian Tree Bougainvillea
Support Systems in Non-woody Plants
Non-woody plants depend on the water
stored in the cells of the stem for support.
Adequate water in Inadequate water in
plant plant
CHAPTER 8
Support & Movement
UNIT 8.3 Appreciating the support system in
living organisms
Explain why support system is important to living things
Appreciating the Support System in
Living Things
Without support system, many living things
will not be able to live
Support system provide an organism:-
Proper shape and posture
Support the weight of body
Protect organs from injury
Additional support system
A crippled person may use a cane, crutches
or a walking frame for support.
SMK Perempuan Likas
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