CHAPTER 8

Support and Movement

XO
In general, the support system plays a very important role for
all multicellular organisms as it allows the bodies of
organisms to:
i) Take up a definite shape and to be kept in a particular
position
ii) It also eases the movement of the organism

The support system can easily be broken down into two that is

The Skeletal System The Muscular System

The skeletal system of animals is composed to three parts, mainly the
endoskeletons, exoskeleton and hydrostatic skeleton

Endoskeletons
All verterbrates have endoskeletons(bones and cartilage).
The basic functions of an endoskeleleton are to support body weight, maintain
body shape, protect organs and to enable limbs to move.
However, aquatic vertebrates(whales and dolphins)
have smaller endoskeletons when compared to land verterbrates of the same body
mass. This is caused as most of the support comes from buoyancy. Boayncy is the
force from water which allows an object to float.
Exoskeleton
All insects( grasshoppers and cochroaches) and crustraceans(prawns and crabs) are
supported by a hard material that forms outside body. This outer skeleton is called a
exoskeleton.

An outer layer of the exoskeleton is called cuticle which is made from chitin that is similar
to cellulose.
Hydrostatic Skeleton
Some invertebrates mainly soft bodied such as sea anemones and earthworms are
supported by liquid. These animals are known to be hydrostatic skeleton as the body
is filled with mostly fluids such as water in cells and in between organs.
Support systems in plants is broken down into two essential parts that are woody or non
woody plants

1) Woody plants
i. Trees single stem
ii. Shrubs branches near the ground

Support systems in woody plants include:

1) Buttress roots- large trees use this root for extra stable support (rain tree and flame of the
forest)
2) Stilt roots- this root provides extra support even though its being grown in muddy
grounds. (Mangrove tree)
Non- woody plants
- Depend on water stored in cells for support. No water = wilt :(

Support Systems for non woody plants

1) Prop Roots- it grows downwards for support (Banyan tree)
2) Clasping Roots- it enables plants to climb by growing on its support(orchids,money plant)
3) Tendrils- coiled structure that winds itself to help plants climb for
support(cucumber,pumpkin)
4) Thorns- A type of branch that cannot be easily taken out of stem, its supports climbing
(bougainvillea)
5) Prickles- outgrowth in epidermis- easily removed (roses)
6) Air Sacs- on rocky places near water source, supports buoyancy(algae)
THANK YOU LOGESH