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Bone Structure Investigation

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Bone Structure Investigation

A sports science team is comparing how bone structure provides strength without making the skeleton too heavy. Read the evidence, interpret the model, and use scientific reasoning. No real bones or special equipment are needed.

Part A — Read the evidence

A long bone has a dense outer layer that resists bending and protects the inside. At the ends, spongy bone forms a network of struts with spaces between them; this arrangement helps spread forces while keeping the bone relatively light. The marrow cavity lies within the shaft. Marrow produces blood cells in some bones, while yellow marrow stores fat. A thin periosteum covers the outside and contains blood vessels and cells involved in growth and repair. A class tested two equal-sized model beams made from the same material. They had the same outer dimensions, but Model L used less material because it had a hollow centre and a lightweight lattice at each end. Model S was a solid rod. They placed weights on each beam until it bent noticeably. Model S held 18 N; Model L held 16 N. Model L weighed 30% less than Model S. These are model results, not measurements of real bones.

1.According to the passage, which tissue forms the dense outer wall that resists bending?

Spongy bone
Compact bone
Marrow
Periosteum

2.Name two different roles of marrow described in the passage.

3.Match each structure to its main description. Write the correct letter beside each structure.

A. Compact bone
B. Spongy bone
C. Marrow
D. Periosteum

3. Network with spaces that helps spread forces
1. Thin outer covering involved in growth and repair
2. Dense layer that resists bending
4. Tissue inside the bone cavity; roles include blood-cell production or fat storage

4.Explain why the hollow-centred Model L could be lighter than the solid Model S while still holding a substantial load.

5.Which model held the greater load before bending, and by how many newtons (N)?

6.Model L had 30% less mass than Model S. If Model S had a relative mass of 100 units, what was Model L’s relative mass? Show or state your calculation.

7.A student concludes, “Model L is stronger because it is lighter.” Is this conclusion supported by the evidence in the passage? Use both load values in your explanation.

TrueFalse

Part B — Make sense of bone structure

Use the passage and evidence in the passage to support your answers. Remember: a model simplifies a real system, so its results cannot prove that actual bones behave exactly the same way.

8.Why might a real long bone benefit from having both compact and spongy bone rather than being solid throughout? Give one structural advantage of each tissue.

9.Identify one limitation of using the beam test to draw conclusions about human bones.

10.A bone is damaged in a fracture. From the passage, which structure has cells involved in repair, and what evidence in the passage supports your answer?

11.A designer wants a lightweight support that holds as much load as possible. Suggest one change to the model test that would make its results more reliable, and explain why.