1.1.a. The structure and function of the skeletal system - Other components of joints — OCR GCSE Physical Education
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1.1.a. The structure and function of the skeletal system - Other components of joints explained
Joints contain soft tissues whose roles differ and are easily confused.
Read the full explanation
A ligament is a tough band of connective tissue that joins bone to bone across a joint; it stabilises the joint and limits movement beyond its safe range, which is why a sprained ankle involves overstretched ligaments. Cartilage is a smooth, slightly compressible tissue covering the ends of bones at a joint; it reduces friction between the articulating surfaces and absorbs some shock, protecting the bone ends during running or landing. A tendon is a strong, less elastic cord that attaches muscle to bone; it transmits the pull of the muscle to the bone so the joint moves, as the Achilles tendon does when a performer pushes off. To answer, link each tissue to what it connects and the function that follows from that connection.
Your focus
- State what each of ligament, cartilage and tendon connects.
- Describe the role each tissue performs at a joint.
- Distinguish the roles of ligament, cartilage and tendon from one another.
1.1.a. The structure and function of the skeletal system - Other components of joints exam tips
Marking Points
- States that a ligament joins bone to bone and stabilises the joint by limiting excessive movement.
- States that cartilage covers the ends of bones and reduces friction between articulating surfaces.
- States that cartilage absorbs shock and so protects the bone ends during impact.
- States that a tendon attaches muscle to bone and transmits the muscle's pull to produce movement.
- Distinguishes ligament from tendon by naming what each connects.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use the connection each tissue makes as your memory hook: ligament links bones, tendon links muscle to bone.
- 💡Pair each tissue with one function word such as stabilise, reduce friction or transmit force.
- 💡Eliminate options that give a tissue the wrong attachment before considering the function.
- 💡Link each role to a familiar injury or action, such as a sprained ligament or a tendon pulling on push-off.
Common Mistakes
- Swaps the attachments of ligaments and tendons; keep ligament as bone to bone and tendon as muscle to bone.
- Describes cartilage as connecting muscle to bone; recognise that cartilage covers bone ends to reduce friction and absorb shock.
- Claims a ligament produces movement; remember that a ligament stabilises and limits movement while a tendon transmits force.
- Treats cartilage as a lubricating fluid; keep it as a smooth tissue covering the bone ends.