Functions of Various Body Structures

Blood

• Transports oxygen and nutrients to body tissues

• Returns waste product to kidneys; Carries CO2 to lungs

• Important role in immune and endocrine systems

Trachea

Transports air to/from the lungs

Skeletal muscles

• Attached to bones

• Voluntary movement

Smooth muscles

Moves and controls the flow of fluids in the walls of the internal organs, blood vessels, and ducts

Larynx

• AKA “voice box”

• Contains vocal cords

Spleen

• Filters microorganisms and other foreign material from the blood

• Destroys worn-out erythrocytes and releases their hemoglobin for reuse

• Stores extra red blood cells (RBCs)

B-cells

• AKA “B lymphocytes”

• Produce antibodies that each attack a specific antigen

Epiglottis

Keeps food from entering the trachea and lungs

Intestine

• Digestion of food/chyme

• Storing waste products

Stomach

• Breakdown of food

• Turning food into chyme

Gallbladder

Concentrates bile for later use

Liver

• Removes toxins from blood

• Turns food into the fuel and nutrients that the body needs