Lesson Describe the General and Unique
Characteristics of the Different Organ
1 Systems in Representative Animals.
What happens when organisms become more complex? How do
organisms made up of billions, or even trillions of cells get the raw materials
needed to each and every cell? The answer is body systems. Large, complex
organisms need many levels of organization to ensure all cells get what they
need to perform life functions.
The body of an animal is like a well-organized machine capable of
performing different tasks. The ability of the body to do all the things it can
do is due to the special internal and external structures both inside and
outside that work together in an orderly manner.
What’s In
Animals are arguably the most complex organism on this planet. The
body is made up of many, many millions of cells which you cannot see
unless you use a microscope. Special cells come together to make an organ.
Table 1
Cellular Organization
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
An organ is a complex structure with in the body. It has a special job
or jobs to do. The body system is a group of parts that work together to
serve a common purpose. Each individual body system works in
conjunction with other body system. It relies on the other systems to work
well to maintain internal stability and balance, otherwise known as
homeostasis.
What is It
The human body and even the simplest animal is made up of several
organ systems that work as one unit. The major organ systems of the body
work together, either directly or indirectly, to keep the body functioning
normally. The body is a chemical and physical machine. As such, it is
subject to certain laws. These are sometimes called natural laws. Each part
of the body is engineered to do a particular function necessary for everyday
living.
The Animal Organ Systems
1. Digestive System
Animal nutrition is the process of taking in, taking apart and taking
up the nutrients from the food source. Food processing has four main
stages: Ingestion, Digestion, Absorption, and Elimination or Egestion.
In animals with complete digestive system, where the entrance and
exit of food and waste are different, they have different kind of mechanisms
of ingestion depending on their evolutionary adaptation to their food.
In other animals, such as in cnidarians (jellyfish, anemone, coral)
where the entrance and exit of food and waste is the same, the region where
this occurs is called the gastrovascular cavity.
2. Respiratory System
Gas exchange is very important among animals, as they require
oxygen in the production of higher amount of energy compared to process of
energy production without oxygen.
Air as a respiratory medium. Hence, as air is lighter and has more oxygen
content compared to the same volume of water, ventilation is not much of a
problem of terrestrial organisms.
The tracheal system of insects- The tracheal system of insects has a
branched network of tracheal tube which responds to the problem of
decreased surface area in the respiratory structure. The tracheal system
opens externally through the side of the insect through a structure called a
spiracle. Air enters and exit through the spiracles. As the respiratory system
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
of insects are independent from their circulatory system, gases is directly
exchanged through tracheoles which have extensions that are directly
connected to the cells. Air sacs act like aspirator which takes in and push
out air out of the body of the insects.
The mammalian respiratory system- Compared to insects, mammals and
other organisms have respiratory system that work together with their
circulatory system. Gases are transported via the bloodstream and are
exchanged via diffusion.
Terrestrial ventilation - The alternating process of inhalation and
exhalation. There are two mechanisms of breathing, one is positive
breathing and the other is negative breathing. In positive breathing air is
pushed into the lungs, such as in frogs.
3. Circulatory System
There are different ways in which animals transport substances
across their body. In animals with closed circulatory system, the circulatory
fluid does not go out of the vessel. Exchange occurs through diffusion via
thinner vessels called capillaries across the interstitial fluid.
Different animals, have adapted different mechanisms for transport
such as in fishes where a single circulation is enough. Compared to
cnidarians, the gastrovascular cavity of flatworms have extensions in order
to reach areas of the body far from the axis. Without these extensions of the
gastrovascular cavity, diffusion might not be enough in the transport of
substances.
Amphibian double circulation differs from mammalian, crocodilian
and avian as blood is mixed. The presence of one ventricle does not prevent
the mixing of blood, unlike in the four-chambered heart of a mammal,
crocodilian and an avian where the ventricle is divided into two. Mixing of
blood does not have major implication on amphibians as:
1) they have low metabolic rate, thus, less need for energy;
2) they have the ability to respire through their skin, thus not
needing to fully oxygenate the blood through the lungs.
4. Urinary System
In order to remove wastes, animals have the excretory system, which
enables it to remove excess salt or water in the body. Waste removal follows
the following processes, 1.) filtration, 2.) reabsorption, 3.) secretion, and 4.)
excretion
Organisms have different wastes in the form of nitrogenous wastes
which they need to excrete. Different organisms have different excretory
system, such as the protonephridia of flatworms, metanephridia of annelids,
malpighian tubules of insects and the nephrons of humans and mammals.
5. Immune System
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
Defends the internal environment from invading microorganisms and
viruses, as well as cancerous cell growth. The immune system provides cells
that aid in protection of the body from disease via the antigen/antibody
response. A variety of general responses are also part of this system.
6. Endocrine System
Hormones are substances which can cause a reaction to a cell, in
Greek it literally means to excite. It is secreted into extracellular fluid such
in blood or lymph and transported to target cells to elicit a specific response,
which can be rapid or slow. The growth and development of the body are
examples of slow and long term effect of a hormone while circadian rhythm
which is responsible for the sleep and-wake cycles respond to a more rapid
response to a hormone. In an endocrine pathway, the reaction involves an
endocrine cell, which releases the hormone to the bloodstream or the
lymphatic system, which is able to attach to receptors of a target cell.
7. Nervous System
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord,
while, the peripheral nervous system is composed of corresponding
structures outside of this two organs of the nervous system. The central
nervous system is responsible for data/information processing which is
gathered by the peripheral nervous system. Upon processing, the CNS
transmit the message again to the PNS, which then convey the message for
the appropriate response.
The nervous system has evolved in increasing complexity throughout
the different groups of animals. Connections among the neurons has
increased, as seen in the development of the nervous system from a simple
nerve net to a system with ganglia (group of neuron) to encephalize
organisms where concentration of neurons are centered in a head. Below
shows the changes in the nervous system of organisms:
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
8. Muscular System
The skeletal muscle is organized from its largest structure (the
muscle tissue itself) to its functional unit (the sarcomere) as a repeating
longitudinal structure that is bound together. Contraction is possible
because of the structural organization of protein molecules that makes up
the sarcomere. When contraction occurs, the sarcomere shortens and this
is reflected in the contraction of a muscle (you can ask the students to flex
their biceps, and ask them if their muscle shortened). In terms of the
molecular and physiological process of contraction, nerve impulse
transmission is needed to depolarize the cell membrane of the muscle to
stimulate contraction.
9. Skeletal System
It provides support and protection, and attachment points for
muscles. The skeletal system provides rigid framework for movement. It
supports and protects the body and body parts, produces blood cells, and
stores minerals.
A clam’s shell is an example of an exoskeleton and the bones and
cartilage in a human is an example of an endoskeleton. An endoskeleton
should not be misconceived to be only made up of bones, as even in
humans, our skeletons are made up of cartilage and bones, while, shark’s
endoskeleton is made up of cartilage. We have different bones which our
muscles can pull to create movement, and the different types of joints are
responsible for different movement that our body can create.
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
What I Have Learned
Body Systems Work Together
You know that your body is made of cells. When groups of cells do
the same kind of work, they are called tissues. The word tissue comes from
a Latin word meaning to "weave." Cells that make up tissues are sometimes
"woven" together.
You have four main types of tissues: epithelial, nervous, muscle, and
connective tissue. Epithelial tissue covers the outside of the body. It also
lines organs and cavities. Nervous tissue sends electrical signals. Muscle
tissue helps you move. Connective tissue joins bones and cushions organs.
When groups of tissues work together, they are called organs. Some
examples of organs are the heart, lungs, skin, and stomach. When organs
work together, they are called systems. For example, your heart, lungs,
blood, and blood vessels work together. They make up the circulatory
system.
We have various systems in our body: muscular system, respiratory
system, digestive system, skeletal system, circulatory system, immune
system, endocrine system, nervous system and urinary system. Each
system has a special job.
Lesson Functional Relationships of the
different Organ Systems in ensuring
2 Animal Survival
Every day, you use your body to do a lot of things. Because of
your body, you can think, move, play and generally go about your daily
activities. There are lot of things happening inside your body that make
life possible. You are alive because of the many wonderful systems of
organs that work together perfectly through very complex processes.
These organ systems keep in touch with one another, exchanging
information and working together to keep you alive.
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
What’s In
The body of an animal consist of various organ systems. Each of
which contains several specific organs. An organ is a unique anatomic
structure consisting of groups of tissues that work in concert to perform
specific function.
System of Major Organ Function of the Organ System
the Body
Digestive Esophagus, stomach, Process foods and absorb nutrients,
System small intestine, large minerals, vitamins, and water.
intestine, rectum
Respiratory Nose, trachea, bronchi, Deliver air to sites where gas exchange
System lungs can occur.
Circulatory Heart, blood vessels Transport oxygen, nutrients and other
System substances to the cells and transport
wastes, carbon dioxide and other
substances away from the cells; help to
stabilize body temperature and pH.
Urinary Kidneys, urinary Removes excess water, salts, and waste
System bladder, ureter products from the blood and body and
controls pH
Immune Bone marrow, thymus Defends against microbial pathogens and
System other diseases
Nervous Brain, spinal cord Collects, transfers and process
System information and directs short term
change in other organ systems.
Endocrine Glands produce Provides communication within the body
System hormones via hormone and direct long term change
in other organ systems to maintain
homeostasis
Muscular Muscles, tendons Provides movement, support and heat
System production
Skeletal Bones, cartilages, Supports and protects soft tissues of the
System ligaments body; provide movement at joints;
produces blood cells
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
There are various systems in the animal’s body: muscular
system, respiratory system, digestive system, skeletal system,
circulatory (or cardiovascular) system, excretory (or urinary) system,
reproductive system, nervous system, immune system, and endocrine
system. Each system has a special job. All of the body systems have to
work together to keep them healthy. The bones and muscles work
together to support and move the body. The respiratory system takes in
oxygen from the air. It also gets rid of carbon dioxide. The digestive
system absorbs water and nutrients from the food we eat. The
circulatory system carries oxygen, water, and nutrients to cells
throughout the body. Wastes from the cells are eliminated by the
respiratory system, the excretory system, and the skin. The nervous
system controls all these activities with electrical impulses. If any
system in the animal’s isn't working properly, other systems are
affected.
Each Body System Works with the Others
Each individual body system works in conjunction with other body
systems. The circulatory system is a good example of how body systems
interact with each other. The heart pumps blood through a complex
network of blood vessels. When the blood circulates through the
digestive system, for example, it picks up nutrients the body absorbed
from the last meal. The blood also carries oxygen inhaled by the lungs.
The circulatory system delivers oxygen and nutrients to the other cells
of the body then picks up any waste products created by these cells,
including carbon dioxide, and delivers these waste products to the
kidneys and lungs for disposal. Meanwhile, the circulatory system
carries hormones from the endocrine system, and the immune system’s
white blood cells that fight off infection.
body systems relies on the others to work well. The respiratory system relies on the circulatory
iver the oxygen it gathers, while the muscles of the heart cannot function without the oxygen
from the lungs. The bones of the skull and spine protect the brain and spinal cord, but the
es the position of the bones by controlling the muscles. The circulatory system provides the
constant supply of oxygen-rich blood while the brain regulates the heart rate and blood
gly unrelated body systems are connected. The skeletal system relies on the urinary system to
produced by bone cells; in return, the bones of the skeleton
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
create structure that protects the bladder and other urinary system
organs. The circulatory system delivers oxygen-rich blood to the bones.
Meanwhile, the bones are busy making new blood cells. Working
together, these systems maintain internal stability and balance,
otherwise known as homeostasis.
This study source was downloaded by 100000827702657 from CourseHero.com on 12-15-2021 14:55:01 GMT -06:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/119780084/organ-systemdocx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
