EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -There are typically around 270 bones in human infants, which fuse to become 206 to 213 bones in the human adult. The reason for the variability in the number of bones is because some humans may have a varying number of ribs, vertebrae, and digits.

Detailed explanation-2: -The adult human skeleton is made up of 206 bones. These include the bones of the skull, spine (vertebrae), ribs, arms and legs. Bones are made of connective tissue reinforced with calcium and specialised bone cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -The axial skeleton, comprising the spine, chest and head, contains 80 bones. The appendicular skeleton, comprising the arms and legs, including the shoulder and pelvic girdles, contains 126 bones, bringing the total for the entire skeleton to 206 bones.

Detailed explanation-4: -A baby’s body has about 300 bones at birth. These eventually fuse (grow together) to form the 206 bones that adults have. Some of a baby’s bones are made entirely of a special material called cartilage (say: KAR-tel-ij).

Detailed explanation-5: -Adults only have around 206 bones! Humans, whales, elephants and horses are all mammals. This means that they have live young (instead of laying eggs llike birds and reptiles), and they can feed their young with milk. All mammals evolved from ancient mammals, so they all have similar skeletons.