Skeletal system consists of a framework of bones and a few cartilages. This system has a significant role in movement shown by the body. Imagine chewing food without jaw bones and walking around without the limb bones. Bone and cartilage are specialised connective tissues. The former has a very hard matrix due to calcium salts in it and the latter has slightly pliable matrix due to chondroitin salts. In human beings, this system is made up of 206 bones and a few cartilages. It is grouped into two principal divisions – the axial and the appendicular skeleton.
Which of the following statements related to the skeletal system and its disorders are NOT correct? S1. The hard matrix of bone is primarily due to calcium salts, while cartilage possesses a slightly pliable matrix containing chondroitin salts. S2. Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder characterized by increased bone mass and decreased chances of fractures. S3. A common cause for osteoporosis, particularly in women, is a decrease in levels of the hormone estrogen. S4. Tetany results from low Ca++ levels in body fluid, leading to rapid muscle spasms and eventually, a compensatory increase in bone formation. S5. Gout is primarily an autoimmune disorder that causes severe inflammation of the joint capsules due to immune system overactivity.
Correct answer: B — S2, S4 and S5
The core concept tested is the understanding of bone composition and various disorders of the muscular and skeletal system, particularly focusing on identifying incorrect descriptions. S1. The hard matrix of bone is primarily due to calcium salts, while cartilage possesses a slightly pliable matrix containing chondroitin salts. This statement is correct. NCERT states (Page 224, Section 17.3), "Bone and cartilage are specialised connective tissues. The former has a very hard matrix due to calcium salts in it and the latter has slightly pliable matrix due to chondroitin salts." S2. Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder characterized by increased bone mass and decreased chances of fractures. This statement is incorrect. NCERT states (Page 227, Section 17.5), "Osteoporosis: Age-related disorder characterised by decreased bone mass and increased chances of fractures." The statement incorrectly describes increased bone mass and decreased fracture chances. S3. A common cause for osteoporosis, particularly in women, is a decrease in levels of the hormone estrogen. This statement is correct. NCERT states (Page 227, Section 17.5), "Decreased levels of estrogen is a common cause [of Osteoporosis]." S4. Tetany results from low Ca++ levels in body fluid, leading to rapid muscle spasms and eventually, a compensatory increase in bone formation. This statement is incorrect. NCERT states (Page 227, Section 17.5), "Tetany: Rapid spasms (wild contractions) in muscle due to low Ca++ in body fluid." It does not mention a compensatory increase in bone formation; low Ca++ would typically trigger bone resorption via parathyroid hormone, not formation. S5. Gout is primarily an autoimmune disorder that causes severe inflammation of the joint capsules due to immune system overactivity. This statement is incorrect. NCERT states (Page 227, Section 17.5), "Gout: Inflammation of joints due to accumulation of uric acid crystals." Myasthenia gravis is the autoimmune disorder mentioned in the chapter, not Gout. Therefore, statements S2, S4, and S5 are NOT correct. The question assesses the ability to distinguish correct from incorrect descriptions of skeletal system components and disorders based on NCERT text.
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