• Question: If humans are just a collection of cells how are we able to stay upright and not flop to the ground?

    Asked by shivibains to Dalya, Derek, Sarah, Tim, Tom on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Sarah Thomas

      Sarah Thomas answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      We are more than just cells, we are also made of protein and water and minerals. The thing that stops us being floppy is our skeleton I think because an octopus doesn’t have a skeleton and it is all wibbly and can fit into tiny spaces and things! 😀

    • Photo: Derek McKay-Bukowski

      Derek McKay-Bukowski answered on 20 Jun 2011:

      It’s the skeleton that does the trick. It is quite hard and rigid, so stops us going “all wibbly”.

      It’s a bit like a house. If the house was made of just curtains and wallpaper, it would be wibbly too. But the house as a solid frame of timber, brick or steel and so do we (only ours is made of bones).

    • Photo: Tim Millar

      Tim Millar answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Some of those cells are bone and muscle which keeps us less floppy

    • Photo: Tom Crick

      Tom Crick answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      It’s all about our skeleton! This provides structural support, as well as protection of our vital organs.

      And don’t forget our muscles, connective tissues, etc, so that we can actually move!

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