Florida Basic Recruit Training Program High Liability (First Aid) Practice Exam

What key function does the skeletal system serve beyond giving shape to the body?

1. Manufacturing hormones

2. Storing nutrients

3. Producing red blood cells

4. Facilitating digestion

The correct answer is: Producing red blood cells

The skeletal system plays a crucial role in producing red blood cells, a function that occurs primarily in the bone marrow found within certain bones. This process, known as hematopoiesis, is vital for maintaining healthy blood levels and ensuring that the body can effectively transport oxygen and nutrients, as well as remove carbon dioxide and waste products. Red blood cells are essential for oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, making their production a critical function of the skeletal system. Other functions, such as stoarge of nutrients, manufacturing hormones, and facilitating digestion, are not the primary roles of the skeletal system. While bones may store certain minerals like calcium and phosphorus, the main focus of the skeletal system’s function regarding red blood cell production directly highlights its importance in the systemic functioning of the human body.