For animals:
* Bone: The primary structural material for the skeleton of vertebrates, composed of calcium phosphate and collagen.
* Cartilage: A flexible, supportive tissue found in joints, ears, and nose, made of chondrocytes embedded in a matrix of collagen and other proteins.
* Connective tissue: A broad category including tendons, ligaments, and fascia, composed of collagen, elastin, and other proteins that provide support and structure.
* Chitin: Found in the exoskeletons of arthropods like insects and crustaceans, providing a strong and flexible structure.
For plants:
* Cellulose: The primary structural component of plant cell walls, forming strong and rigid fibers.
* Lignin: A complex polymer that adds rigidity and strength to plant tissues, particularly in wood.
* Hemicellulose: A polysaccharide that works with cellulose to form the cell wall matrix.
Other:
* Proteins: Various proteins like keratin (in hair, nails, feathers) and collagen (in skin, tendons) provide structural support and form different tissues.
* Minerals: Calcium carbonate (in shells of mollusks and some corals), silica (in diatoms), and others can be incorporated into body structures.
It's important to note that the composition and arrangement of these materials can vary greatly depending on the specific body part and its function. For example, bone can be dense and strong in the femur, but more porous and light in the skull.
