The _____ protects the spinal cord.
vertebrate
skull
hair
spinal column
lungs
spinal column
The skeleton of a shark is made of _____.
muscle
cartilage
bones
veins
tendons
cartilage
The correct answer is the "spinal column" or "spine."
To arrive at this answer, we need to have some knowledge of anatomy. The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system and needs protection to prevent injury and damage. The structure that provides this protection is the spinal column, also known as the spine.
The spinal column is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of each other. The vertebrae create a strong and flexible structure that runs from the base of the skull down to the pelvis. They surround and encase the spinal cord, shielding it from external forces that could cause harm.
The other options provided, such as vertebrate, skull, hair, and lungs, do not directly protect the spinal cord. Vertebrate refers to a group of animals with a backbone, which includes humans, but it is a broader term and does not specify the specific structure that protects the spinal cord. The skull protects the brain, not the spinal cord. Hair has no direct connection to protecting the spinal cord. Lungs, on the other hand, have a different function related to respiration and are not involved in protecting the spinal cord.