What are the functions of the skeleton?

The functions of the skeleton include support, protection, and movement, making this choice the correct one.

The skeleton provides structural support for the body, enabling it to maintain its shape and stand upright. It serves as a framework to which muscles attach, allowing for movement. The bones work together with the muscular system to facilitate various physical activities, from walking to grasping objects.

Furthermore, the skeleton plays a crucial role in protection. It encases vital organs, such as the brain protected by the skull, and the heart and lungs safeguarded by the rib cage. This protective function is essential for the survival of these delicate organs against physical damage.

While other options mentioned processes and functions like digestion, absorption, circulation, and breathing, those are not primary roles associated with the skeleton. Digestion and absorption are functions primarily related to the digestive system, blood circulation pertains to the circulatory system, and breathing involves the respiratory system. Reproduction can involve skeletal components, but it is not a direct function of the skeleton itself. Thus, it is clear that support, protection, and movement define the core functions of the skeletal system.