Body Systems: Skeletal System: Why You Need Calcium

For this demonstration, you'll need a clean chicken bone* (a drumstick works best) and a large jar filled with vinegar.  You'll also want some way to close the jar, either a lid or some plastic wrap.

Observe the bone, try to bend it (but don't actually do so, you want to keep it in one piece).

Place the bone in the vinegar and cover the jar.

Remove the bone from the vinegar every day for about a week.  Observe and test for flexibility.


Over the course of the week, the bone will become more and more flexible, taking on a rubber-like feel by the end.  The vinegar (acetic acid) breaks down the calcium deposits in the bone, allowing you the opportunity to observe the importance of calcium in maintaining bone strength.

**The next time you have chicken or turkey, you may want to clean the bones and stick them in a resealable bag in the freezer, so you have them when you need one.