Skeletal System Lab Report

Caden Harris
This lab report addresses bone matrix, pressure and force of the bones of the foot, and
the homeostasis imbalance of osteoporosis. The extracellular matrix of bone tissue is largely
collagen and inorganic salts. Figure 1. The organic matrix is composed primarily of the protein
collagen which provides flexibility. The matrix of the bone also contains inorganic salts,
primarily hydroxyapatite and some calcium carbonates. Bone matrix is responsible for how
sturdy the bones in our bodies are. The strength of our bones are very important to the health
of our body. These and a few other salts are deposited in a framework of collagen fibers, this
process is called calcification. Mineral salts confer hardness on bone, while collagen fibers give
bone its great tensile strength. Table 1. Denature collagen by heating and bones become
brittle.
Force is the total impact of one object on another. Force is measured in Newtons and
force is always exerted. Pressure is the ratio of force to the area over which it is applied.
Pressure is the force per unit area and is measured in Pascals. The force you exert on the floor
when standing on both feet is equal to when standing on one foot. Figure 2. However, when
standing on one foot, you put twice the pressure on the floor as if you were standing on two feet.
Figure 3a-f. The pressure can change a lot depending on how much force is exerted or how
large the area is. P=F/A. The forces are not always the same. Every different shoe I wore
exerted a different amount of force and pressure, and had a different size area. Table 2a-c.
Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from
loss of tissue. Bone homeostasis is regulated through osteoclasts and osteoblasts.
Osteoporosis can occur from many controllable things, such as stress, alcohol, and smoking, as
well as from many uncontrollable things, such as age, genetics, and peak bone mass. Figure 4.
Osteoporosis is a common disease that affects millions of people daily. It occurs more in
women and begins to affect people the most at age 50 and older. Breaking a bone is a serious
complication of osteoporosis, especially with older patients. In addition to the pain, osteoporosis
can cause some people to lose height. When osteoporosis affects the vertebrae, it often lead to
a hunched posture.

Figure 1. Bone Histology Slide. Microscopic Structure of Osteon

Table 1. Bone Matrix Data. Extracellular Matrix Comparison. We looked at three different
bones, one brittle, one soft, and the other solid.
Vinegar Bone

Baked Bone

Frozen Bone

Description

Missing the salt, the

salt gives the bone
the hardness

Missing the collagen,

contains salt making
the bone brittle

The bone that has

both the salt and
collagen

Disease

Mineral Deficiency

Osteoporosis

Table 2a. Walking on Pressure Plate With No Shoes. Pressure is related to force and surface
area.
1

Force (N)

Area (cm2)

Pressure
(Pa)

Left

358

880

996

774.6

514

1.448

Right

915

1195

1150

1086.6

514

2.114

Table 2b. Walking on Pressure Plate with Shoes (Tennis Shoes). Pressure is related to force
and surface area.
1

Force (N)

Area (cm2)

Pressure
(Pa)

Left

998

718

1009

908.3

822

1.105

Right

1019

986

1005

1003.3

822

1.221

Table 2c. Walking on Pressure Plate with Shoes with a Heel. Pressure is related to force and
surface area.
1

Force (N)

Area (cm2)

Pressure
(Pa)

Left

837

787

752

792

1172

0.675

Right

489

610

755

618

1172

0.527

Figure 2. Force Bar Graph. The bar graph shows the pressure with each foot and each type of
shoe, as well as the average force exert.

Figure 3a. Left Foot With No Shoe. Walking across the pressure plate three different times, with
no shoes. Photo By: Author

Figure 3b. Right Foot With No Shoe. Walking across the pressure plate three different times,
with no shoes. Photo By: Author

Figure 3c. Left Foot With Shoe (Tennis Shoe). Walking across the pressure plate three different
times, with tennis shoes. Photo By: Author

Figure 3d. Right Foot With Shoe (Tennis Shoe). Walking across the pressure plate three
different times, with tennis shoes. Photo By: Author

Figure 3e. Left Foot Shoe With a Heel. Walking across the pressure plate three different times,
with shoes with a heel. Photo By: Author

Figure 3f. Right Foot Shoe With a Heel. Walking across the pressure plate three different times,
with shoes with a heel. Photo By: Author

Figure 4. Osteoporosis Infographic. Information over Osteoporosis. Contain signs and risks,
as well as statistics, charts, and cycles of Osteoporosis.

Discussion:
While doing the force vs pressure lab I discovered that some of my forces and pressures were a
lot higher/lower than others, which left me wondering, Why is that so?, Why does this happen?
Also how is osteoporosis passed through genetics?
APA Citations
Kanis, J., Black, D., Cooper, C., Dargent, P., Dawson-Hughes, B., De Laet, C., et al. (2002). A
new approach to the development of assessment guidelines for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis
International, 13(7), 527-536.
Bone Structure and Function. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from
https://depts.washington.edu/bonebio/ASBMRed/structure.html
Bachus, K. N., DeMarco, A. L., Judd, K. T., Horwitz, D. S., & Brodke, D. S. (2006). Measuring
contact area, force, and pressure for bioengineering applications: using Fuji Film and TekScan
systems. Medical engineering & physics, 28(5), 483-488.
Hodgson, S. F., Watts, N. B., Bilezikian, J. P., Clarke, B. L., Gray, T. K., Harris, D. W., et al.
(2003). American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice
for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis: 2001 edition, with selected
updates for 2003. Endocrine practice: official journal of the American College of Endocrinology
and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, 9(6), 544.
I. Cartilage. (n.d.). Retrieved December 01, 2016, from
http://www.iupui.edu/~anatd502/lecture.f04/cartbonef04/Cartilage and Bone 07.htm