Animal Body Systems
Animal body systems are groups of organs and tissues that work together to perform specific functions. These systems include the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, muscular, skeletal, and reproductive systems. Each system has a unique role in maintaining the overall health and function of the organism, allowing animals to survive and thrive in their environments.
4 Key excerpts on "Animal Body Systems"
eBook - ePubPrimary Science
Knowledge and Understanding
- Jenny Kennedy, Jenny Kennedy(Authors)
- 2013(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...2 Humans as Organisms NIGEL SKINNER Introduction The structure of the human body Diet and role of the digestive system Exercise and rest Digestion Reproduction, growth and development Detecting and responding to change The endocrine system The circulatory system Breathing: the respiratory system Support and movement The excretory system Drug use and abuse Summary 2 H UMANS AS O RGANISMS NIGEL SKINNER I NTRODUCTION The human species is just one of many millions of species that comprise the animal kingdom. In common with other animals, humans display the processes of life discussed in Chapter 1. In this chapter some of the basic concepts in human biology are discussed. The main emphasis is on how these are related to personal development and health. Biologists use the terms ‘organ’ and ‘organ system’ when discussing the structure of living things, that is, how organisms are organised. An organ can be defined as a distinct structure which carries out a particular function within a living thing. Most people are happy to use the term ‘organ’ when talking about structures such as the heart and brain. It can also be used when discussing structures such as bones and muscles. Organs work in conjunction with others to form ‘organ systems’ that carry out their functions in a coordinated manner in the whole animal. For example, the heart and blood vessels together form the circulatory system. The major organ systems and their functions are listed in the box. This chapter discusses aspects of each of these and concludes with a short section on drug use and abuse. T HE STRUCTURE OF THE HUMAN BODY An important unifying concept in biology is that the structures possessed by living things are closely related to their functions. When introducing the names of the different parts of the body to children the functions of these parts and the ways in which they are suited to them could be discussed...
eBook - ePub- R G Gordon(Author)
- 2005(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...CHAPTER IV THE ORGANIZATION OF BODILY FUNCTION As has been said above, the whole of the body of the higher vertebrates is under the direction and control of the nervous system. Quite apart from the relationship of the body to the environment, the heart, lungs, digestive system and the rest, take their time from, and owe their activity to the action of this system, in such a way that the organization of bodily function entirely depends on it. Destruction of those nervous centres which are responsible for the regulation of these organs, seriously interferes with their action and, in the case of the heart and lungs, results in death. Similarly all activity of muscles, which are responsible for the movements of the body, depend on the influence of the nervous system and are entirely subservient to it. On the other hand, every activity of the muscles and internal organs results in the stimulus of nerves, whose business it is to convey messages back to the nervous centres. In this way there is a continuous interchange of messages and influences from nervous system to organs and from organs to nervous system, by the intervention of the peripheral nerves. At the same time, the various organs produce chemical substances which circulate in the blood and influence all other organs and especially the activity of the nervous system. With this question of “temperament” we shall deal in the next chapter. For the present, it is proposed to discuss the organization of the nervous system itself, since upon it depends the organization of the whole body. This system consists of a central part concerned with the reception and transmission of messages, analogous to the exchange in a telephone system, and of a peripheral part composed of the nerves which convey messages between the nervous system and the end organs. These nerves are analogous to the wires of the telephone...
eBook - ePub- Mari Robbins, Janet Wetherfield(Authors)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
...White cells consist of phagocytes, which surround and ingest bacteria, and lymphocytes which produce antibodies. Figure 1 Blood cells 85% of humans are rhesus positive; ie they produce agglutinin (for immunity) in their red cells. If rhesus positive blood is transfused into a rhesus negative recipient, the plasma will produce agglutinins (antibodies) which destroy the red cells: hence the need to determine blood groups. The death of tissue cells (necrosis), from injury or infection, may lead to death of part of the body (gangrene). This is prevented by regeneration by mitosis or by fibrosis (ingrowth, causing scarring, in tissue where cells are unable to multiply). Neoplasms (ie tumours or growths) are clusters of abnormal cells. They grow at the expense of, and imitate, surrounding normal body tissues, and may be benign – slow-growing and isolated – or malignant – fast growing and tending to spread to other parts of the body. Body Systems Tissues and special organs are arranged for working purposes into ‘systems’ which carry out the functions necessary for the body to remain in health. The Musculoskeletal System This is concerned with movement. It consists of bones, muscles, fibrous tissue, ligaments and nerves. The skeleton This gives shape and support to the body, anchors muscles, protects internal structures, stores calcium and produces blood cells. A baby is born with 350 bones, but during growth some of these fuse so that the adult human has 206 bones. Bones can be divided into two main groups: axial, consisting of those of the upright parts of the body (skull, vertebrae, ribs and sternum), and appendicular (limbs, shoulder girdles and pelvic girdle). The muscles Muscles make up the largest mass of tissue in the body and account for approximately 40–50% of body weight...
eBook - ePub- Matthew A. Wallig, Brad Bolon, Wanda M Haschek, Colin G. Rousseaux(Authors)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- Academic Press(Publisher)
...Part II Systems Toxicologic Pathology Outline Chapter 8 Liver and Gall Bladder Chapter 9 Cardiovascular System Chapter 10 Skeletal Muscle System Chapter 11 Urinary System Chapter 12 Immune System Chapter 13 Hematopoietic System Chapter 14 Respiratory System Chapter 15 Digestive System Chapter 16 Exocrine Pancreas Chapter 17 Male Reproductive System Chapter 18 Female Reproductive System Chapter 19 The Mammary Gland Chapter 20 Endocrine System Chapter 21 Nervous System Chapter 22 Special Senses Chapter 23 Bone and Joints Chapter 24 The Integumentary System Chapter 25 Embryo, Fetus, and Placenta...
