Skeletal System
The skeletal system of the giant panda is similar to that of a bear. The frame is wide built and bulky. Although this creature resembles its stature from an average bear, this animal has obtained an extra bone in its hand which is an elongated wrist bone resembling thumbs, enabling the giant to be able to pick up bamboo shoots.
A Panda has
very large bones and are quite dense. The cells in these bones are known as
stem cells. There are also red blood cells and fat cells found in the bone
marrow. There are two different types of bone marrow found in a giant panda;
red bone marrow and yellow bone marrow. The red marrow contains blood cells and
the yellow bone marrow contains fat cells. The perosteum serves the same
purpose as in the human body functioning as a tough, shiny membrane covering
the bones to prevent it from any harm or injury. The pandas also have long
bones forming its giant structure.
Muscular System
The muscles in a giant Panda are very well built so that the panda is able to haul itself up trees and along the forest floor in search for its main food source; bamboo. These muscles also enable this giant beast to be able to reach speeds of up to 30km/h at its maximum.
Pandas have three different types of muscle; skeletal, cardiac and smooth. Striated muscle can be found all throughout the pandas body such as in its hands, legs and spine. This muscle is voluntary and helps the panda complete its simple daily tasks. The smooth muscle can be found in the walls of its stomach, intestines and its bladder. Unlike the skeletal muscle, smooth muscles are involuntary meaning that you can’t control them. Lastly the cardiac muscle can only be found in the panda’s heart and is also a form of involuntary muscle. For the panda’s body to be able to function correctly, all of the different forms need to be working together.
Pandas have three different types of muscle; skeletal, cardiac and smooth. Striated muscle can be found all throughout the pandas body such as in its hands, legs and spine. This muscle is voluntary and helps the panda complete its simple daily tasks. The smooth muscle can be found in the walls of its stomach, intestines and its bladder. Unlike the skeletal muscle, smooth muscles are involuntary meaning that you can’t control them. Lastly the cardiac muscle can only be found in the panda’s heart and is also a form of involuntary muscle. For the panda’s body to be able to function correctly, all of the different forms need to be working together.