endoskeleton

/endou'skelitn/

Thân thiện

A human endoskeleton is displayed in a biology classroom.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The internal skeleton: A rigid internal framework that provides structural support and protection for an organism's body, typically composed of bone and/or cartilage. This structure is characteristic of vertebrates.

Usage

• The term "endoskeleton" is used primarily in biological and zoological contexts to describe the internal supporting structure of an animal, contrasting it with an exoskeleton (an external shell).
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The human endoskeleton is made of 206 bones.
  • Vertebrates, such as fish and mammals, possess a bony endoskeleton.
  • The fossil shows the clear structure of the dinosaur's endoskeleton.

Advanced Usage

• "to have an endoskeleton": to possess an internal skeletal structure.
  • All mammals have an endoskeleton.
• In evolutionary biology, the development of the endoskeleton is considered a key adaptation.

Variants and Related Words

• Endoskeletal (adj): relating to or having the characteristics of an endoskeleton.
  • The endoskeletal structure provides great flexibility.

Synonyms

• Internal skeleton
• Bony framework (when referring specifically to bone)

Antonyms

• Exoskeleton (an external supportive or protective structure)

Học thuật

Noun

1. the internal skeleton; bony and cartilaginous structure (especially of vertebrates)