CH. 1 | Organ Systems and their Functions

Integumentary System

• Forms the external body covering and protects deeper tissues from injury

• Synthesizes vitamin D and houses cutaneous receptors (pain, pressure, etc) as well as sweat and oil glands

• Contains hair, skin, and nails

Skeletal System

• Protects and supports body organs and provides a framework that the muscles use to cause movement

• Blood cells are formed within bones

• Bones store minerals

• Contains bones and joints

Muscular System

• Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression

• Maintains posture and produces heat

• Contains skeletal muscles

Nervous System

• As the fast-acting control system of the body, it responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscle and glands

• Contains the brain, spinal cord, and nerves

Endocrine System

• Glands secrete (RELEASE) hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells

• Contains the pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, thymus, adrenal gland, pancreas, ovary, and testis

Cardiovascular System

• Blood vessels transport blood, which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, etc

• The heart pumps blood

Lymphatic System / Immunity

• Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to blood

• Disposes of debris in the lymphatic system
  
  
  

• Houses white blood cells (lymphocytes) involved in immunity

• The immune response mounts the attack against foreign substances within the body

• Contains red bone marrow, thymus, lymphatic vessels, thoracic duct, spleen, and lymph nodes

Respiratory System

• Keeps blood constantly supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide

• The gaseous exchanges occur through the walls of the air sacs of the lungs

• Contains the naval cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lung, and bronchus

Digestive System

• Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells

• Indigestible foodstuffs are eliminated as feces

• Contains the oral cavity, esophagus, liver, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus

Urinary System

• Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body

• Regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood

  • Contains the kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, and the urethra

Male & Female Reproductive System

• Production of offspring -BOTH-
  
  
  

• Testes produce sperm and male sex hormone, and male ducts and glands aid in delivery of sperm to the female reproductive tract

• Ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones
  
  
  

• The remaining female structures serve as sites for fertilization and development of the fetus

• Mammary glands of female breasts produce milk to nourish the newborn