Cell function and organization chapter test

Cell

Definition: A complete living being made up of all organ systems working together in a coordinated manner.

Example: A human, a dog, a tree.

Tissue

Definition: A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.

Example: Muscle tissue, nervous tissue, epithelial tissue, connective tissue.

Organ

Definition: A structure made up of two or more different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific, complex function.

Example: Heart, stomach, brain, lungs, liver.

Organ system

Definition: A group of organs that cooperate to perform major functions necessary for the organism's survival.

Example: Digestive system, circulatory system, nervous system, respiratory system, excretory system.

Organism

Definition: A complete living being made up of all organ systems working together in a coordinated manner.

Example: A human, a dog, a tree.

Digestive System

Primary Function: Breaks down food into absorbable molecules, absorbs nutrients, eliminates solid waste.

Key Organs: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas.

Digestive System & Circulatory System

How they interact: Digested nutrients absorbed by the small intestine directly enter the bloodstream. The circulatory system then transports these nutrients to all body cells.

Circulatory Role: Nutrient distribution, oxygen transport.

Digestive system and Nervous System

Interaction: Digestive System & Nervous System

How they interact: The nervous system (brain, nerves) controls and regulates digestive processes like muscle contractions (peristalsis) and enzyme release.

Nervous Role: Regulation and coordination of digestion, hunger/satiety signals.

Digestive System and Respiratory System

How they interact: The respiratory system supplies oxygen, which the circulatory system transports to cells. Cells use this oxygen (along with glucose from digestion) in cellular respiration to produce energy.

Respiratory Role: Oxygen intake for energy production, CO2 removal.

Digestive System & Excretory (Urinary) System

How they interact: The excretory system filters metabolic waste products from the blood (which also carries absorbed nutrients) and eliminates them as urine, maintaining a stable internal environment essential for all systems.

Excretory Role: Metabolic waste removal, maintaining homeostasis.

What defines a "System" in a multicellular organism?

A group of organs (and often tissues/cells) that work together to perform a major, integrated function for the organism's survival.These systems include the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and others that collaborate to maintain homeostasis.

Why is the "interdependence" of organ systems crucial for multicellular organisms?

Interdependence refers to the vital concept that no organ system in a multicellular organism functions in isolation; they are intricately connected and mutually reliant on each other to maintain life. For example, while the digestive system breaks down food, the circulatory system is essential for transporting the resulting nutrients to every cell. In turn, the circulatory system depends on the respiratory system to supply oxygen (O2O2) for cellular respiration and to remove carbon dioxide (CO2CO2) metabolic waste. This collaborative network is crucial for enabling the body to maintain homeostasis—a stable internal environment—and ensures the organism's overall survival and proper functioning. A breakdown or failure in one system can have significant, detrimental effects throughout the entire organism.

How do interacting systems contribute to homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the ability of an organism to maintain a stable internal environment. Interacting systems (e.g., excretory for waste removal, respiratory for gas exchange, circulatory for distribution) continuously work together to regulate conditions like temperature, pH, glucose levels, and water balance, essential for cell survival.

Briefly describe the primary function of the Circulatory System.

Transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.