1. Study the meaning and pronunciation of these words:
| anchor (v) | ['xNkq] | , |
| marrow | ['mxrqV] | |
| muscularity | ["mAskjV'lxrItI] | |
| musculature | ["mAskjV'lqtSq] | |
| pelvis | ['pelvIs] | , |
| periosteum | ["perI'PstIqm] | |
| spine | [spaIn] | , |
| rib | [rIb] | |
| female | ['fi:meIl] | |
| fragile | ['frxdZaIl] | , |
| hollow | ['hPlqV] | , |
| male | [meIl] | |
| muscular | ['mAskjVlq] | |
| spongy | ['spAndZI] | , |
| underneath | ["Andq'ni:T] |
2. Try to guess the meaning of the following words and phrases:
| to fit ones function | to be responsible for smth |
| blood vessels | to range from to |
| compact bone | gluteus maximus |
Read and translate the text.
THE SKELETON AND MUSCLES
The human skeleton is made up of more than 200 bones. It gives our muscles a firm place to anchor themselves and also protects our bodys more fragile organs. For example, the brain is protected by the skull and the lungs are protected by the ribs. The bones of our skeleton vary in shape and size to fit their function. The spine has 33 separate bones. It is shaped to protect the spinal cord, which travels through it, while also giving the spinal muscles a place for attachment.
The male skeleton is different to the female skeleton. For example, the female pelvis is specially designed to allow a babys safe journey down the birth canal.
Bones have an outer layer called the periosteum. This contains nerves and blood vessels. Underneath lies the toughest part compact bone. This part is hollow and is lined with spongy bone, which makes it strong but not too heavy. Cells in the bone take calcium and phosphorus from the blood to keep the bony substance hard. Bone marrow lies as the centre of bone. The bone marrow at the end of long bones is responsible for making new blood cells.
We have lots of muscles of different shapes and sizes, ranging from the large gluteus maximus on which we sit, to the tiny muscles that control the movements of our eyes. Many of our movements when riding a bicycle for example involve a number of muscles that have to work together, and these are controlled by the brain. Every muscle in our body is made up of muscle fibers. Messages from the brain can make muscle fibres contract, making them shorter. As they shorten they become more powerful and are able to pull the bones to which they are attached. This causes movement.
Although we can control many of our muscles, we also have muscles in our body that work automatically. These include the muscles that make our heart beat and the muscles in our intestine that help us to digest food.
COMPREHENSION CHECK
1. Decide which of the following interpretations is most likely to be true:
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a) The skeleton is a firm structure to which muscles are attached.
b) The skeleton does not determine the shape and movements of the body.
c) The skeleton protects more delicate organs from injury.
d) 33 separate bones of the spine are shaped to protect the brain.
e) Bones do not have any outer layer.
f) The bone marrow is responsible for making new blood cells.
g) The outer layer of the bones contains nerves and blood vessels.
h) Cardiac muscles, smooth muscles, glands work automatically.
2. Give answers to the questions below:
a) What role does the human skeleton play?
b) What is the structure of the bones?
c) What causes the movement?
d) Which muscles work automatically?
e) How do muscles range in size and shape?
f) Do male and female skeletons differ?
Find in each paragraph the sentence which conveys the main idea.
LANGUAGE FOCUS
1. Form the derivatives of the words given in the chart below (where possible):
| Noun | Verb | Adjective |
| muscle | ||
| to protect | ||
| spinal | ||
| function | ||
| to cause | ||
| short | ||
| to digest | ||
| to differ | ||
| variation | ||
| safe | ||
| responsible |
2. Find in the text: a) synonyms and b) antonyms to the following words and word combinations:
| a) | b) |
| to consist of | firm |
| to hold | to change |
| to possess | combined bones |
| form | male |
| hard | similar |
| various | inner layer |
| to differ, to distinguish | compact bones |
| to permit, to let | weak |
| matter | light |
| big | longer |
| small, minute | to be unable |
| to be regulated by | to exclude |
| to function | to aid |
| to make | big |
| soft |
3. Complete the sentences below choosing appropriate words from the text:
1. is protected by the and the are protected by the .
2. contains nerves and blood vessels.
3. is responsible for making new blood cells.
4. Messages from the brain can .
5. The bones of our skeleton vary .
6. Compact bone is hollow and .
7. Many of our movements involve a number .
8. to keep the bony substance hard.
9. is the toughest part compact bone.
10. When muscle fibers they become more powerful.
4. Translate the sentences into English using the vocabulary of the Unit:
) , , .
) . .
) , , .
) , .
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES
1. Discuss the following in pairs: Muscles and bones work together.
