UNIFYING-THEMES 3

Introduction

  • Prepared by Coleen Casanova: An overview of how animals and plants survive.

Organ Systems Overview

  • Focus on various organ systems:

    • Excretory System

    • Immune System

    • Endocrine System

    • Nervous System

    • Skeletal and Muscular System

Excretory System

  • Responsible for removing nitrogenous wastes from the body,

    • Key organs include:

      • Skin

      • Kidneys

      • Ureter

      • Urinary Bladder

      • Urethra

Integumentary System

  • Composed of hair, skin, nails, and exocrine glands.

Skin

  • Epidermis: Outer covering, prevents fluid evaporation.

  • Dermis: Beneath the epidermis, contains sweat glands.

  • Subcutaneous Layer: Deepest layer, insulates, stores fat, protects against injuries.

  • Hair: Formed from epidermal cells; keratinized.

  • Nails: Protect distal parts of fingers and toes, composed of hardened skin tissue.

Waste Removal

  • Wastes originate from body cells or diet.

  • Urinary system manages liquid waste removal and blood cleansing.

Urinary System

  • Comprises organs that dispose of liquid waste to purify blood.

  • Urea: By-product of protein digestion, toxic if not expelled.

Kidneys

  • Vital organs of the urinary system.

  • Structures involved:

    • Renal Vein: Carries blood away from kidneys.

    • Renal Artery: Supplies blood to kidneys.

    • Ureter: Transports waste to bladder.

Nephrons

  • Microscopic units within kidneys for filtering blood and forming urine.

Excretion through Different Organs

  • Lungs: Excrete CO2, maintain oxygen levels.

  • Large Intestine: Absorbs water from unabsorbed food to form feces for excretion.

Excretion and Homeostasis

  • Integumentary system maintains temperature.

  • Excretory system regulates body fluid levels.

Immune System

  • Composed of specialized cells, proteins, and organs that protect against pathogens.

Immune Components

  • Key elements include:

    • Adenoids

    • Tonsils

    • Lymph nodes

    • Thymus

    • Lymphatic vessels

    • Spleen

    • Bone marrow

Lymph Nodes

  • Filter lymphatic fluid, trap cancer cells or bacteria.

Spleen

  • Largest lymphatic organ, fights infections, regulates blood control.

Bone Marrow

  • Center of bones, produces white blood cells.

    • Generates leukocytes.

Types of Leukocytes

  • Phagocytes: Engulf pathogens.

  • Lymphocytes: Memory cells for pathogen recognition.

    • B cells: Produce antibodies.

    • T cells: Attack infected or cancerous cells.

Endocrine System

  • Communicates through hormones, does not use nerve cells.

    • Hormones act as chemical messengers.

Endocrine Glands

  • Major glands include:

    • Hypothalamus

    • Pituitary

    • Thyroid

    • Adrenal glands

    • Pancreas

Hormone Functions

  • Regulate metabolism, bodily functions, and homeostasis.

  • Control bodily responses to stimuli.

Nervous System

  • Comprised of billions of neurons (nerve cells).

    • Divided into:

      • Central Nervous System (CNS)

      • Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Brain Structure

  • Main control center:

    • Cerebrum: Controls higher brain functions.

    • Cerebellum: Regulates muscle coordination and balance.

    • Medulla: Governs automatic functions like heartbeat and breathing.

Spinal Cord

  • Connects the brain to the body, facilitates nerve impulse transport.

Skeletal and Muscular Systems

  • Skeletal System: Provides framework and protects vital organs.

    • Bones have living cells, enabling growth and repair (ossification).

    • Composed of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

Cartilage

  • Tough yet flexible tissue, found on bone ends.

Muscular System

  • Enables movement necessary for daily functions.

    • Types of muscles:

      • Skeletal Muscles: Voluntary, enable locomotion.

      • Smooth Muscles: Involuntary, control internal workings.

      • Cardiac Muscles: Found only in the heart.

Conclusion

  • Study Session Questions:

    1. What is the role of calcium in the skeleton?

    2. What are the functions of the nervous system?

    3. How does adrenaline affect the body?

    4. Where is urine stored in the body?

  • Thank You!