Study Jams: Human Body Systems

The Human Body The human body is an incredibly complex system built with different cells. Similar cells get together to form tissue, like muscle tissue. All of these tissues form the organs that keep everything running smoothly in the body. An organism is a living plant or animal Cell is a basic, microscopic part of an animal or a plant Tissue is a mass of similar cells that form a particular part or organ of an animal or a plant, as in a muscle tissue. An organ is a part of the body that does a particular job. Nutrients are needed by people, animals and plants to stay strong and healthy. Proteins, minerals and vitamins are all nutrients.

Skeletal System Your skeleton gives your body a supporting frame and protects your internal organs. The skeletal system is attached to the muscular system, and they work together, allowing your body to move. Muscles are the parts of your body that produce movement. Your muscles are attached to your bones and pull on your bones to make them move. Bones are the hard, white parts that make up the skeleton of a person or an animal. Organs are a part of the body that does a particular job. A joint is where two bones meet; for example, your knee or elbow. There are four main types of joints in your body: fixed, sliding, hinge and ball- and-socket. A ligament is a tough band of tissue that connects bones and holds some organs in place.

Muscular System Your muscular system helps your vital organs function, and it also performs another very important job. The muscular system is attached to your skeletal system, and that allows you to move! Cardiac Muscle is a involuntary muscle that pumps the blood through the heart. Smooth Muscle is also involuntary muscle that helps with digestion and other vital organ functions. Skeletal Muscles are voluntary muscles that are attached to the skeleton and help a person to move. A tendon is a strong, thick cord or band of tissue that joins a muscle to a bone or other body part. The muscle is one of the body parts that produces movement. Your muscles are attached to your skeleton and pull on your bones to make them move. A reflex is an automatic action that happens without a person’s control or effort. Motor neurons carry messages from the brain and the spinal cord to your muscles to tell them to move.

Circulatory System The circulatory system is a huge and complex system within our bodies that transport materials, such as blood and waste. It is made up of the heart and blood vessels. The circulatory system is a complex system in our body that transports needed materials and eliminates wastes. The heart is an organ in your chest that pumps blood all through your body. Blood vessels are the narrow tubes in your body through which your blood flows. The artery is the tube that carries blood from your heart to all the other parts of your body. Veins are the vessels through which blood is carried back to the heart from other parts of the body. Capillaries are small tubes in your body that carry blood between the arteries and veins.

Respiratory System Your lungs pull in oxygen through your nose, mouth and throat. Then, in the lungs, the oxygen is transferred to the blood vessels and the lungs draw waste, carbon dioxide, out of the veins. Then you can exhale all the waste. The cell is the basic, microscopic part of an animal or a plant. An organ is a part of the body that does a particular job. Respiration is the process of taking in oxygen and sending out carbon dioxide, beginning with breathing in and ending with breathing out.

Nervous System All day long, electrical impulses are being sent through the entire body by way of the nervous system. The central components of the nervous system that make it all work are the brain, spinal cord, and the nerve endings. Nervous system- A system in the that includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. In a vertebrates, controls all the actions of the body. Central Nervous system- The largest part of the nervous system. It is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. Together with the peripheral nervous system, it controls behavior. Peripheral Nervous system- A part of the nervous system that is made up of nerves and neurons. These nerves and neurons extend outside the central nervous system. Cerebrum- The largest part of the brain. It determines perception, imagination, thought, judgment, and decision. Cerebellum- Located at the back of the brain. It is responsible for movement and learning new skills. It coordinates skeletal muscles. Brain stem- Part of the brain that sits at the junction of the cerebellum and the spinal cord. Along with the medulla, it controls your heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and the muscles of the digestive system. Medulla- Considered part of the brain stem, it acts as a relay system between the spinal chord and the rest of the brain. It controls your heartbeat, breathing, blood pressure, and the muscles of the digestive system. Nerve cells- The cells of the nervous system, also called neurons. They carry “messages” through an electrochemical process.

Immune System The many parts of your immune system work together to defend your body against diseases. White blood cells in your blood vessels and lymph vessels help protect your body by killing intruders and getting rid of harmful materials. Bacteria- Microscopic living things that exist all around you and inside you. Many bacteria are useful, but some cause disease. White blood cells- A colorless blood cell that is part of the body’s immune system. It protects the body against infection by destroying diseased cells and germs. Blood vessels- One of the narrow tubules in your body through which your blood flows. Lymph- A clear liquid that carries nourishment and oxygen to body cells and carries away waste products. Germ- A very small living organism that can cause disease. Bone marrow- A soft substance that is inside bones that is used to make blood cells. Virus- A very tiny organism that can reproduce and grown only when inside living cells. Viruses are smaller than bacteria. They cause disease such as polio, measles, the common cold and AIDS.

Digestive System Sure, food tastes good, but it is also necessary to fuel your body. Your digestive system helps turn food into fuel your body can use. It is made up of your mouth, salivary glands, throat, stomach, intestines and bowels. Proteins is a substance found in all living plants and animals. Nutrients are needed by people, animals and plants to stay strong and healthy. Bile is a green liquid made by the liver to help digest foods. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of sugar that you have in your body. Digestion is the process of breaking down food in the stomach and the other organs so that it can be absorbed into the blood.