Your independent exploration of the human body Click here to begin!

Introduction to the Human Body

Your independent exploration of the human body

Click here to begin!

Throughout this year, you will be learning about all the aspects of biology. One question you might have is, “How does biology relate to me?” Well, the answer is simple; biology is all about you! Everything that we will discuss this year is related to you. To understand these relationships, you must first learn more about yourself.

In this activity, you will explore seven major organ systems that make up the human body. At the end of this activity, there will be a multiple choice quiz. In order to complete this activity, you must pass the quiz and email your teacher the ‘secret password’.

Introducing the Human Body

Explore each system

Back

The Human BodyPick your system!

Nervous System

Explore the human body online

Digestive System

Excretory System

Cardiovascular System

Musculoskeletal System

Reproductive System

Back

Integumentary System

Take the quiz!

http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html

The nervous system controls and coordinates functions of the body and allows the body to respond to internal and external stimuli. The human body's five senses are controlled by the nervous system through sensory receptors. The messages that allow the body to respond to stimuli are called impulses and are transmitted by cells called neurons. Sensory neurons carry impulses from the sensing organs to the spinal cord and brain. Motor neurons carry impulses from the brain and spinal cord to muscles and glands. Interneurons connect the sensory and motor neurons and carry impulses between them in order to allow the body's nervous system to sense, interpret and react to stimuli.

Nervous System Overview

Back to Body

SystemsOrgans

Extra information can be found here!

Back

http://www.innerbody.com/image/nervov.html

The divisions of the nervous system include the central and peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord and it works to relay messages, process, and analyze information. The peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves and associated cells that are not part of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system transmits the messages to and from the central nervous system and the muscles and glands.

Nervous System Organs

Back to Body Systems Analogy

Back

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Nervous_system_diagram.png

The body's nervous system is a lot like sending a letter in the mail. For example, pretend you are a pain stimulus (such as a hot plate) and your friend is a brain. You send a letter (a message) that says HOT! to your friend through the post office. The mailman acts as an impulse because he transmits the message to your friend (the brain). Your friend, the brain, then responds with a message (letter) sent back to you that says STOP TOUCHING! Once again, the message is transmitted via impulse (mailman).

Nervous System Analogy

Back to Body Systems

Back

The excretory system eliminates waste products from the body in ways that maintain homeostasis. In order to maintain homeostasis, the body must regulate itself, including its' waste products. Body wastes include salts, carbon dioxide, and urea (a toxic compound produced during energy reactions in cells); excretion helps rid the body of these potential poisons.

Excretory System Overview

Back to Body

SystemsOrgans


Back

http://www.innerbody.com/image/urinov.html

The structures involved in this system are the skin, lungs, kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. The skin excretes excess water and salts and urea in the form of sweat. The lungs excrete carbon dioxide gas through exhalation. The kidneys remove waste products from the blood, maintain blood pH, and regulate the water concentration of the blood. The kidneys are involved in filtration of the blood, reabsorption into the bloo and urine formation. The ureter, bladder and urethra all assist the kidneys in excreting waste products from filtration through urine.

Excretory System Organs


Back

http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/classes/bio100/Lectures/Lect16/Image270.gif

The excretory system is a lot like a recycling factory. The used materials that come into the factory (waste) are filtered into usable and unusable parts. The usable material is treated and reintroduced into society by the factory machines (kidneys) while the unusable material (urea, salt, and excess water) is disposed of (much like urine).

Excretory System Analogy


Back

The digestive system converts foods into simpler molecules that can be used by the cells of the body. The digestive system also absorbs food and eliminates waste in order to regulate itself.

Digestive System Overview

Back to Body

SystemsOrgans


Back

http://www.innerbody.com/image/digeov.html

The digestive system is made up of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum. The mouth helps break down foods both physically and chemically by chewing and saliva production, respectively. The esophagus is the food tube through which food travels from the mouth to the stomach. The stomach is responsible for the mechanical and chemical digestion through churning and mixing the food with stomach acids. The small intestine is responsible for the majority of chemical digestion and absorption of desired nutrients. The large intestine removes water from the undigested material that is left and the remaining undigested material is eliminated from the body through the rectum.

Digestive System Organs


Back

http://www.homebusinessandfamilylife.com/images/digestive_system.gif

The digestive system is like a power plant. The plant utilizes material to convert to energy. Once the material is used up (much like food) the power plant removes the waste created and continues the process in order to maintain energy levels.

Digestive System Analogy


Back

The cardiovascular system includes the circulatory system and respiratory system. The circulatory system brings oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to cells. It also fights infection, removes cell waste, and helps regulate body temperature. The respiratory system provides oxygen needed for cellular respiration and removes excess carbon dioxide from the body.

Cardiovascular System Overview

Back to Body

SystemsOrgans


Back

http://www.innerbody.com/image/cardov.html

The structures involved in the circulatory system are the heart, blood vessels and blood. The blood acts as a carrier for nutrients and oxygen. Blood is pumped by the heart and flows through vessels to all parts of the body. The structures involved in the respiratory system include the nose, pharynx, larynx, bronchioles and lungs. During respiration air moves through the nose, pharynx, larynx, and lungs. After reaching the lungs, the air flows into tiny tubes called bronchioles where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen going into the blood is exchanged for carbon dioxide waste and the waste travels in reverse order and is released from the body as an exhale.

Cardiovascular System Organs


Back

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/ap/dynamichuman2/content/gifs/0140.gif

The cardiovascular system is much like highway. Important deliveries (nutrients and oxygen) are carried by trucks (the blood) to and from different parts of a city (the body). The waste material is also carried by trucks (blood) to be disposed of (exhalation).

Cardiovascular System Analogy


Back

The musculoskeletal system includes the muscular and skeletal systems. The skeletal system supports the body, protects internal organs, allows movement, stored mineral reserves, and provides a site for blood cell formation. The muscular system works with the skeletal system to produce voluntary movement, circulate blood, and move through the digestive system.

Musculoskeletal System Overview

Back to Body

SystemsOrgansAND HERE!


Back

http://www.innerbody.com/image/skelfov.html

http://www.innerbody.com/image/musfov.html

The skeletal system is made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. These structures work together to allow support and desired movement of the body. The muscular system is made up of skeletal muscle (attached to bones), smooth muscle (controlled non-voluntarily such as the digestive muscles moving food) and cardiac muscle (the heart). These three types of muscles work together to provide internal and external movement for the body.

Musculoskeletal System Organs


Back

http://www.merck.com/media/mmhe2/figures/MMHE_05_058_01_1_eps.gif

The musculoskeletal system is like a car. The skeleton is like the car frame and the muscles are like the wheels. The car frame gives the car its structure and supports the car. The wheels allow the car to move.

Musculoskeletal System Analogy


Back

The reproductive system produces reproductive cells and in females, the reproductive system nurtures and protects developing embryo. The reproductive system is responsible for creating the sperm cells in males and egg cells in females. The reproductive system is the only way for species to form new individuals, without it, new life could not be created.

Reproductive System Overview

Back to Body

SystemsOrgans

Explore the female reproductive system

Explore the male reproductive system

Back

http://www.innerbody.com/image/repfov.html

http://www.innerbody.com/image/repmov.html

The reproductive system includes testes, epididymus, vas deferens, urethra and penis (in males); and ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina (in females). The main purpose of the male reproductive system is to produce and deliver sperm for embryo fertilization. The main purpose of the female reproductive system is to produce ova. The female reproductive system also prepares the female's body to nourish a developing embryo.

Reproductive System Organs


Male

Female

Back

http://www.homebusinessandfamilylife.com/images/male_reproductive_system.gif

http://www.uh.edu/~tgill2/image008.jpg

The reproductive system is a lot like a teddy bear factory. For example, the male reproductive system is the stuffing of a teddy bear and the female reproductive system is the furry bear-shaped casing. The two systems work together to produce a teddy bear suitable to use. However, if one of the systems was not present, the teddy bear could not be formed completely. Without the systems working together, new life cannot occur.

Reproductive System Analogy


Back

The integumentary system serves as a barrier against infection and injury. This system works to help regulate body temperature, helps eliminate waste products from the body, and it provides protection against ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Integumentary System Overview

Back to Body

SystemsOrgans


Back

http://www.besthealth.com/besthealth/bodyguide/reftext/html/skin_sys_fin.html

The integumentary system is made up of the skin, hair, nails, sweat, and oil glands. Skin and nails protect the body from the environment and other dangers. Hair on the head protects the scalp from UV rays while hairs is the nostrils, ears and around the eyes help to catch dirt and debris before it enters the body. Sweat is a release of excess water and urea, which is a waste product.

Integumentary System Organs


Back

http://www.shands.org/health/graphics/images/en/8912.jpg

The integumentary system is a lot like the outside of a house. Like the system, the external house has many different parts that aid in protecting the inside. For example, walls keep out unwanted guests. The roof protects the house from harsh weather conditions and the doors help keep out dangers while letting in desired guests. Screened windows allow air in while keeping the house clear of unwanted materials.

Integumentary System Analogy


Back

Which type of muscle is labeled I in the Venn diagram shown in Figure 32-4?

◦ Cardiac◦ Filament◦ Skeletal◦ Smooth

Quiz Question # 1


Back

Figure 32-4

That’s right!

Quiz Question # 1 Response


Back

Next Question

Back to question

Incorrect!



Back

Need help? Click here!

Back to question

A tissue is observed to contain nerve cells, muscle fibers, and oil glands. Where is this tissue found?

◦ Dermis◦ Epidermis◦ Hair◦ Nails

Quiz Question # 2


Back

That’s right!



Back

Next Question

Back to question