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
Sabah