why do we have a spine?

Answer 1

So we don't have to live in a basket like "The Late Mr. Loopner."

(Saturday Night Live character who was born without a spine).

Aloha

Answer 2

The spine is literally the strong point and the weak point of the human body. It's sturdy enough to support the chest and head. And at the same time flexible enough to allow for all the action we do(no other mamal has such a flexible spine). However it's a very fragile part of the body as well. It's basically a chain of bones one on top of the other and a little to much tension or twist on one of these bones can cause the chain to deform or break. Since the central nervous system and the brains blood supply run through the spine, damaging it would cause paralysis or death.

Answer 3

The spine is, literally, what supports our bodies. We're not the only animals with a spine. Our ancestor species had spines before the first humans evolved bipedal movement (standing up).

The spine serves the same function in all vertebrates, from humans and primates to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish: it provides structural protection for the human endoskeleton (all of our bones, from arms and legs to the ribs, hips, shoulder blades and of course the human skull. It gives shape to our bodies, because it supports the other structural elements (ribs, etc) that hold all of our organs together.

The bony structure of the spine also provides an enclosed conduit for the spinal cord, which is the primary trunk nervous system of our bodies connecting the brain to everything else. Its bony material is supposed to protect the delicate nervous tissues from physical harm, while its multiple segments allow for a flexibility and mobility.

Answer 4

If we did not have a spine, the rest of our bones wouldn't be held together by anything. For example, if you create a stick figure out of posicle sticks, you always start with the middle stick. If there was no stick in the middle you couldn't get the hands and feet to stay in place. Not unless you have broken the laws of gravity. Same thing with our spine, we need it or otherwise there would be nowhere for the rest of the bones to attach themselves.

Answer 5

The spine is useful in a large mammal such as a human. the only animals that don't have spines have exoskeletons that support their structure and they tend to be quite small. The spine support that skeletal structure, prevents it from collapsing and is also a nerve centre.

Answer 6

The spine has several purposes. Firstly it acts as the key to much of our skeletal structure allowing us to walk, and suppost ourselves. Secondly, it acts as protection for the spinal cord which transports messages from the brain to the rest of the body.

Answer 7

Well, as you ask -

S-shaped spine: Prevents shock to your head when you walk or run

Spinal cord protection: Your bony spine encases your delicate spinal cord

Vertebrae: 33 vertebrae make up your spine
Column of ring-like bones

Also known as your backbone, your spine is a strong, flexible column of ring-like bones that runs from your skull to your pelvis. It holds your head and body upright and allows you to bend and twist your body. It also offers protection to your spinal cord - a large bundle of nerves that runs through the cavity in the centre of your spine that relays messages between your brain and the rest of your body.

Vertebrae

Your spine is made up of 33 irregularly shaped bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra has a hole in the middle through which the spinal cord runs. The spinal cord can be divided into five different regions, from top to bottom:

Your 7 cervical vertebrae support your head and neck and allow you to nod and shake your head
Your ribs attach to your 12 thoracic vertebrae
Your five sturdy lumbar vertebrae carry most of the weight of your upper body and provide a stable centre of gravity when you move
Your sacrum is made up of five fused vertebrae. It makes up the back wall of your pelvis
Your coccyx is made up of four fused vertebrae. It is an evolutionary remnant of the tail found in most other vertebrates
Shock absorbers

Sandwiched between your vertebrae are pads of tough, fibrous cartilage called intervertebral discs that cushion your vertebrae and absorb shock. These discs, together with the curved, S-shape of your spine, prevent shock to your head when you walk or run.

Flexibility

The joints between individual vertebrae aren't very flexible. But working together they give the spine a wide range of movement, allowing you to arch backwards, bend forwards and twist from side to side. During strenuous movement, strong ligaments and muscles around your vertebrae stabilise your spine and help to control movement.

Enough?

Answer 8

If we didn't have a spine i shouldn't think we would be able to sit up straight or stand properly

Answer 9

so we can stay upright and walk,if we had no spine we just would not be able to function as humans,use your imagination and think how you be without your spine,kind regards Kathy

Answer 10

1. Support our bodies, otherwise we'll be walking like Jello.

2. The nervous system runs through the spine, it is very fragile system, therefore it should be protected by bone shield "vertebra"

Good enough !?!