The
human body is an amazing structure. After understanding
its complex nature it is easy to be in awe of how effortlessly it seems
to work. The precision which occurs within each system, is overwhelming
when one considers the vast number of cells, tissues, and organ structures
which depend on each other in order for completion of its assigned duties.
This unit is designed to allow students to become more familiar with the
essential components and systems of the human body as it functions during
normal operation. In future units, we will take a closer look at each system,
but for now lets just see a big picture of how your body works.
Depending on which
text material you may look at, you will find a varying number of what is
classified as body systems. Some text references may say there are 10 other
9 or 8, but a more common approach to understanding the human body is to
divide it into 10 systems. Each system plays a functional role in how our
body works, and without any one of them, our system is sure to fail eventually.
Each of the systems listed below will be covered in an overview fashion
during this unit.By clicking onto each system you may take a self tutored
adventure toward learning about each system. Remember, each system is not
covered completely, but was developed so students my have a good general
knowledge of each system.
Skeletal System- This system provides our bodies, with an internal framework, from which we may operate. There are 5 essential functions this system provides to organisms which possess an endoskeleton.
Muscular System- Basically is comprised of 3 types of muscular tissue, Skeletal, Cardiac and Smooth, in which each are used to provide working action to various parts of the body.
Nervous System- Is composed of several sub systems, and allows humans to interact and respond with their environment and other organisms within that environment.
Circulatory System- Is made up of the heart, and various types of blood vessels found throughout the body. Its primary function is to move materials throughout the body, providing a vital link with many other systems making up the organism.
Digestive System- This allows for human consumption of nutrient materials and the breakdown of those materials into molecules for use on the cellular level. As nutrients are taken in, waste materials are produced and eliminated from the body.
Integumentary System- This system provides the outer coverings to our body as well as the development of nails and hair.
Lymphatic System- This system works in conjunction with the circulatory and immune system to rid our bodies of impurities or unwanted materials, while collecting and filtering lost body fluids through our circulatory system.
Reproductive System- The key to maintaining the survival to our species. The simple, but yet genetically complex processes which provide both males and females with the opportunity to pass along traits to their offspring. A simplified understanding of genetics will also be developed through understanding this unit.
Respiratory System - Involving the lungs, and simple air passagways of this system, provides our body with one major component in which we cannot live without, " oxygen ". Few systems may be as simple as this one, but none maintain the importance or significance as this one does.
Excretory System - This system consisting of primarily the kidneys, also has many little sub systems, in which all serve to eliminate waste materials out of the body. Basically if we did not have this system, the food, and liquids we consumed, would literally poison us to death. The elimination of undigested food materials will be covered under digestion, but cellular waste, from metabolism, is primarily how this system serves us.