Content Writer-SME
Bone and cartilage are special components of the musculoskeletal system. They are defined as connective tissues responsible for providing a definite form and shape to the body. These connective tissues are made up of loosely packed cells which are surrounded by an extracellular matrix.
- They play a significant role in protecting vital internal organs like the brain, eyes, and heart of the body and help various body organs in movement.
- Bones and cartilages differ from each other in density, location, functions, cell structure, etc.
This article belongs to the chapter Tissue Class 11th NCERT which focuses on the difference between bone and cartilage. Questions may be asked from this topic of around 2-3 marks.
Bones Definition
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Bones are the rigid parts of the human body that make up the skeleton. It is made up of collagen which is a mixture of small crystals, minerals and proteins which collectively provide strength and flexibility to the bones. Some important functions of bones are:
- They protect the internal organs of our body.
- Bones build up the skeletal system which helps in providing structural support.
- These connective tissues contain many cells that perform various functions such as building new bones.
- Helps in the production of red and white blood cells and stores minerals.
- These structures have high compressive strength due to the presence of an essential mineral called calcium phosphate.
- They contain a special type of bone-forming cell known as osteocytes.
Cartilages Definition
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Cartilage is a thin, pliable, fibrous, flexible connective tissue, mainly found in the external ear, nose respiratory tract, larynx and joints. It lacks blood vessels, that's why the development and growth of the cartilage is slower as compared to bones and other tissues.
- The collagen fibres are composed of chondrocytes and a gel-like substance high in proteoglycans.
- This combination together allows the cartilage to tolerate external pressures and have frictionless movements.
- The physical properties of the cartilages depend on the proportions of elastin fibres, collagen fibres and proteoglycan in the matrix.
Types of Cartilages
There are three types of cartilages found in different regions of the body namely:
- Elastic
- Hyaline
- Fibrocartilage
Elastic Cartilage
Elastic cartilage is also known as yellow elastic cartilage, where a dense network of elastin fibres is present in the matrix. It provides support and elasticity and is mainly found in the external part of the ear (pinna), larynx and eustachian tube (connecting tube of the middle part of the ear to the throat).
Hyaline Cartilage
It is the most common type of cartilage, which consists of type II collagen and has a glassy appearance.
- Hyaline cartilage is mainly found in the ends of ribs, in the tracheal rings, in the nasal septum, in respiratory tract and joints.
- This type of cartilage is known as a shock absorber and helps in the smooth movement of the bones of joints
Fibrocartilage
Fibrocartilage has an orderly dense arrangement of cartilage fibres in which numerous chondrocytes are arranged within the lacunae and space between the fibres. These are made up of type I collagen and are located in areas like pubic symphysis and intervertebral disc.
Difference Between Bone and Cartilage
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The difference between bone and cartilage are explained below in the tabular form:
| Basis of Comparison | Bones | Cartilages |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Bones are non-pliable, hard, complex structures made up of connective tissues which provide shape and protection to different organs of the body. | Cartilages are simple, pliable, soft connective tissue that offers flexibility to the joints and protects organs from external and internal shocks. |
| Forming cells | Forming cells are osteoclasts, osteoblasts and osteocytes. | Forming cells are chondrocytes. |
| Nature of Matrix | Bones contain both organic as well as inorganic matrix. | Cartilage only consists of organic matrix only. |
| Types | They are of two types: Spongy and Compact bones. | They are of three types: Elastic, hyaline and fibrous cartilage. |
| Blood Supply | They network of blood vessels and a rich supply of blood. | They do not have blood vessels. |
| Minerals | Bones have rich deposits of calcium salts. | It may or may not have calcium deposits. |
| Growth | Growth is bi-directional in bones. | Growth is unidirectional in cartilage. |
| Bone Marrow | Present in bones. | Absent in cartilages. |
| Haversian System | Present in bones. | Absent in cartilages. |
| Volkmann Canals | Present in bones. | Absent in cartilages. |
| Calcium Phosphate | It is present in the matrix. | It is absent in cartilage. |
In conclusion, both bones and cartilages are considered as connective tissues that are responsible for movement and support. However, comparison between bones and cartilages can be done on various parameters.
- The primary difference arises on the basis of nature i.e, bones are hard connective tissues that forms the overall framework of skeletal system.
- On the other hand, cartilages are soft connective tissues made up of chondrocytes and act as shock absorber.
Things to Remember
- The thigh bone or femur is the longest in the human body.
- The smallest bone present in the human ear is known as the stapes.
- A child has 300 bones in total, whereas an adult has only 206 bones.
- Fibrocartilage acts as a shock absorber.
- Friction caused in the joints are reduced by hyaline cartilage.
Sample Questions
Ques.Can cartilage become bone? (1 mark)
Ans.Yes, sometimes cartilage is replaced by bone such as- the skeletal components of the limbs, the pelvis and the vertebral column are first formed of cartilage and later become bone.
Ques. Why is bone harder than cartilage? (1 mark)
Ans.: Cartilage and bone differ from each other in terms of vascularity, flexibility and nature of matrix as Bone has a calcified matrix which makes it too strong.
Ques.What are Bones and Cartilage? (1 mark)
Ans. Bones and Cartilage are specialised forms of connective tissue which connect one system of the body to another.
Ques.Which feature is found in both cartilage and bone? (1 mark)
Ans.Both bone and cartilage are important for structure, support and protection in the body.
Ques. What is found in bone but not in cartilage? (1 mark)
Ans. Bone is hard and vascularised in nature whereas cartilage is flexible, not as hard and rigid as bone and does not contain any blood vessels.
Ques What are the functions of bones in our body? (1 mark)
Ans.There are different shapes and sizes of bones present in our body which provide shape and structure to the body, support the body, protect organs, store calcium and produce blood cells in bone marrow.
Ques. Can bone repair themselves? (1 mark)
Ans. A broken bone or fractured bone can repair themselves in certain right conditions in which the broken bone heals itself completely.
Ques. Which is the smallest bone in the body? (1 mark)
Ans. The “stapes” found in the middle ear is the smallest bone in the human body whose size is 3 mm x 2.5 mm.
Ques. Why is cartilage more soft and pliable than bones? (1 mark)
Ans.Cartilage is more soft and pliable than bone as they provide support and structure to various body tissues and have chondroblasts which are flexible in nature.
Ques. Which is the strongest cartilage in the body? (1 mark)
Ans.Fibrocartilage are the most rigid type of cartilage because of having more collagen fibres, and are found in intervertebral discs in the spine.
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