Final answer:
The skeletal system, consisting of bones, cartilages, and ligaments, supports and gives shape to the human body, allowing for protection, movement, and creation of blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure that supports the human body is the skeletal system, which includes all of the bones, cartilages, and ligaments. It functions similarly to the steel beams in a building, providing a rigid, internal structure that can support the weight of the body against the force of gravity. The bones of the skull, for example, support the structures of the face and protect the brain.
There are 206 bones in an adult's skeleton, and these bones are essential not just for support, but for movements of the body as they provide attachment points for muscles. Another function of the skeleton is the protection of internal organs; the rib cage protects the heart and lungs, while the skull encases the brain. Furthermore, bones are involved in making blood cells within their marrow.
Understanding the relationship between the structure and function of the body's systems is key in fields like anatomy and physiology. For example, knowing how the human hand operates helps appreciate the alignment of the bones in the hand for grasping and manipulating objects.