PERFORMANCE TASK 3A

MICROSCOPIC AND GROSS STUDY OF LONG BONES

INTRODUCTION:
The adult skeleton is made up of 206 bones which contain two basic types of tissues: compact bone and spongy bone.
Compact bone tissue consists of units called osteons or Haversian systems. Osteons are cylindrical structures that contain a
mineral matrix and living osteocytes connected by canaliculi, which transport blood. They are aligned parallel to the long axis of the
bone. Each osteon consists of lamellae, which are layers of compact matrix that surround a central canal called the Haversian canal.
The Haversian canal (osteonic canal) contains the bone’s blood vessels and nerve fibers. (Source:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/structure-of-bones/)
Spongy bone tissue does not contain osteons that constitute compact bone tissue. Instead, it consists of trabeculae, which
are lamellae that are arranged as rods or plates. Red bone marrow is found between the trabeculae. Blood vessels within this tissue
deliver nutrients to osteocytes and remove waste. (Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/structure-of-
bones/)
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this performance task on the Skeletal System, the students are expected to:
1. Develop familiarity with the microscopic structure of compact and spongy bone tissues
2. Differentiate the microscopic features between compact and spongy bone tissues
3. Identify the structures found in each bone tissues
4. Identify the parts of a long bone
LABELING EXERCISES
1. Shown below is the photomicrograph of a compact bone. Identify the name of the structures with label and write a
short description of their function in the bone tissue. (8 pts)
A

NAME FUNCTION

A.

B.

C.

D.

B C D
 2. Shown below is a photomicrograph of a spongy bone tissue. Identify the bone cells labeled A to C and write a short
description of the function of each cell in the tissue. Identify also the structure in labeled D and indicate its
function. (8 pts)

A B

NAME FUNCTION

A.

B.

C.

D.

C D

3. Shown below is the gross anatom of a long bone and its respective parts. Write down the names of the labeled part
on the space provided below (9pts)

D
A. ___________________________________
A E B. ___________________________________
F C. ___________________________________
G
D. ___________________________________
H
I E. ___________________________________
B F. ___________________________________
G. ___________________________________
H. ___________________________________
I. ___________________________________
C
4. Astronauts can experience a dramatic decrease in bone density while in a weightless environment. Explain how
this happens, and suggest a way to slow the loss of bone tissue. (5pts)

Accomplished by:

________________________________ _______________________________
Name Signature