Interactions Among Animal Systems
A formative assessment task from
STAAR Biology:
Assessment Activities for the Texas Readiness Standards
The purpose of this activity is to reinforce students’ understanding that systems
in animals constantly interact with one another to keep the animals functioning
properly. Students will use an interactive manipulative activity to demonstrate an
understanding of the importance of interactions between animal organ systems,
and the functions and components of the systems that perform regulation,
nutrient absorption, reproduction, and defense. Teachers can use this activity to
formatively assess student understanding about systems as a collection of
cycles, structures, and processes that interact in animals.
A resource from
The Charles A. Dana Center at
The University of Texas at Austin
Interactions Among Animal Systems
STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions
Lymph
System
Inte
r
a
ct
i
o
n
ns
o
i
t
c
a
r
te
n
I
Immune
System
s
Circulatory
System
Biological Processes and Systems
Interactions Among
Animal Systems
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Biological Processes and Systems
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Teacher Pages
Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to reinforce students’ understanding that systems in animals
constantly interact with one another to keep the animals functioning properly.
Correlations to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills
Note: Text with a line through it indicates this part of the TEKS is not being addressed in this activity. Some TEKS
statements printed here end with a semicolon or the word and with nothing thereafter—this indicates that further
TEKS statements follow but are not included here.
(10) Science concepts. The student knows that biological systems are composed of multiple
levels. The student is expected to:
(A) describe the interactions that occur among systems that perform the functions of
regulation, nutrient absorption, reproduction, and defense from injury or illness in
animals; (Readiness standard)
(2) Scientific processes. The student uses scientific methods and equipment during field and
laboratory investigations. The student is expected to:
(G) analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from data; and
(Incorporated)
(H) communicate valid conclusions supported by the data through methods such as lab
reports, labeled drawings, graphic organizers, journals, summaries, oral reports, and
technology-based reports. (Incorporated)
Materials
The following materials are included in the blackline masters for this station and are available on
the enclosed DVD.
• Station Information sheet (1 per station)
• Systems Cards (1 set per station)
• Event Cards (1 set per station)
• System Functions and Parts Cards (1 set per station)
• System Interactions Mat (1 per station)
• System Interactions Table (1 per station)
• System Interactions Cards (1 set per station)
• Student Pages (1 set per student)
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Supplementary Resources
“Interesting Facts about the Digestive System.” Retrieved on July 14, 2011 from ORACLE
ThinkQuest. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112205/interesting_facts.htm.
“Interesting Facts about Nervous System.” Retrieved on July 14, 2011 from Buzzle.com:
Interesting Life on the Web. www.buzzle.com/articles/interesting-facts-about-nervoussystem.html.
“Circulatory System Facts.” Retrieved on July 14, 2011 from Buzzle.com: Interesting Life on the
Web. www.buzzle.com/articles/circulatory-system-facts.html.
Advance Preparation
1. Print one copy of all the blackline masters for this station from the enclosed DVD using
a color printer—color is essential to the station activities. Make one copy of the student
pages (including the glossary) for each student.
2. Laminate the Station Information sheet, System Interactions Mat, and System
Interactions Table.
3. Laminate and cut apart the System Functions and Parts Cards, Systems Cards, System
Interactions Cards, and Event Cards. Place the System Interactions Table and System
Interactions Cards in one envelope; place the Systems Cards and the Events Cards in
another envelope; place the System Functions and Parts Cards in a third envelope. Label
each envelope.
Station Setup
1. Tape the Station Information sheet to the station table. Students will use this to confirm
the station is set up correctly.
2. Place the System Interactions Mat and the envelopes at the station.
Procedures
1. When students arrive at the station, they should check the station setup against the
Station Information sheet at the table. If anything is missing or out of place, they should
notify you.
2. Pass out a copy of the Student Pages to each student. Instruct students to work through
the procedures and answer the questions with their teammate(s).
3. As students work through the station activity, circulate around the room, checking their
work and responding to questions.
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Interactions Among Animal Systems
Guide to Student Responses
Note: The suggested student responses presented below in italics represent the best possible answers to the student
questions; actual student responses may vary.
Essential Question
Why is it important that an organ system interact with other organ systems?
Each organ system is part of the whole living organism. The specialization of each
system requires that it rely on and interact with other systems so that the organism
can function properly and survive. A single system cannot by itself ensure proper
function and survival of an organism.
Activities and Questions
1. What are some of the interactions that occur among the lymph, circulatory, and immune
systems when a person is fighting an infection like the flu?
All three systems are involved in protecting the organism from infection and disease.
The lymph system produces lymphocytes to fight infection that may be found in
the blood stream. It also collects and transports fluids around the tissues back to
the veins of the circulatory system. In the circulatory system, white blood cells fight
infection and protect the body against foreign materials. The circulatory system works
with the lymph system to stabilize the concentration of fluids in the body; it also helps
transport the lymphocytes to the site of the infection. The immune system includes
parts of the lymph system and works with the lymph and circulatory systems to fight
infection by producing T-cells and antibodies.
2. What interactions must occur among the digestive, nervous, and lymph systems to enable
digested food (biomolecules) to be transported from the digestive system to the cells of the
body?
The digestive system must break down the foods into smaller particles (or
biomolecules), such as carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids. Fats are emulsified by
the bile that is produced by the liver and then transported to the circulatory system
through the lymph system for further digestion. The nervous system has control of the
processes and functions of the digestive and lymph systems.
3. When a runner completes a 10K race, she is breathing heavily, sweating profusely, and
her heart rate is rapid. What systems are involved in causing these changes in her body
systems? How do these systems interact to allow her to complete the race?
The three systems that are involved are the integumentary, circulatory, and nervous
systems. Their interactions enable her to run, and with proper training, to run long
distances like a 10K race. The integumentary system works with the circulatory
system to rid the body of liquid waste products that are formed in the muscles of
the body. The circulatory system transports the waste products internally and the
integumentary system excretes them through the skin’s glands as sweat. The sweat
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
has a secondary function in that, as it evaporates, it helps cool and control the
temperature of the body during these kinds of activities. The nervous system assists
in regulating the heart rate.
4. Locate the envelope containing the System Interactions Table and System Interactions
Cards. Read each section of the table, then find the interaction card that names the
systems described in each section and place it on top of that section. Continue until all
cards have been placed on the table.
Immune
Integumentary
Digestive
and
and
and
Digestive
Circulatory
Lymph
Nervous
Integumentary
and
Nervous
Endocrine
and
Circulatory
and
Reproductive
I need to remember . . .
• Systems do not stand alone; they must work with other systems to enable the organism
to function properly.
• Each system has specific functions that it must perform, but each system is closely
connected to other systems in the body and works with them to perform its functions.
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Biological Processes and Systems
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Blackline Masters
Contents
• Station Information sheet
• System Cards
• Event Cards
• System Functions and Parts Cards
• System Interactions Mat
• System Interactions Table
• System Interactions Cards
• Student Pages
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Station
StationInformation:
Information:
Interactions
Among
Animal
Systems
Interactions
Among Animal
Systems
System Interactions Mat
Function and Part Card
Function and Part Card
Interactions
System
System
Immune System
Parts
C
i
rc
Sy ula
ste tor
m y
System Functions and
Parts Cards
Event
ct
io
ea
fe
tin
g
in
Nervous
n
e
v
Event System
and Systems Cards
cti
du
touching a flame
ns
ctio
a
r
e
Int
rectum
anus
pancreas
liver
salivary glands
liver
ine
Endocr
System
•
•
•
•
•
•
Inte
r
a
cti
on
s
vitamins into circulatory
and lymph systems
• removes excess water
in large intestine
• acid in stomach destroys
foreign bacteria
running
Respiratory
System
Di
g
Sy est
st ive
em
Functions
• protects the body from
• lymph nodes
Digestive System
illness and infections
• spleen
• production
of mucus
• bone Parts
marrow
Functions
antibodies, T-cells, and • thymus gland
lymphocytes
tonsils
•
mouth
• breaks down foods into
white
blood cells
•
esophagus
biomolecules for
• T-cells
stomach
nourishment and to
•• antibodies
small intestine
provide energy
•• interferon
large intestine
• absorbs nutrients and
pro tem
Re Sys
System
Function and Part Card
System Interactions Table
Immune
and
Nervous
and
Circulatory
DigestiveIntegumentary
Digestive
and
and
Circulatory
System
Interactions
Lymph
Table Cards
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
System Cards
Immune
System
Circulatory
System
Lymph
System
Integumentary
System
Digestive
System
Reproductive
System
Endocrine
System
Nervous
System
Reproductive
System
Respiratory
System
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Event Cards
running
eating
infection
touching a flame
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
System Functions and Parts Cards
Digestive System
Immune System
Functions
Functions
Parts
• protects the body from
illness and infections
• produces mucus
antibodies, T-cells, and
lymphocytes
• lymph nodes
• spleen
• bone marrow
• thymus gland
• tonsils
• white blood cells
• T-cells
• antibodies
• interferon
• breaks down foods into
biomolecules for
nourishment and to
provide energy
• absorbs nutrients and
vitamins into circulatory
and lymph systems
• removes excess water
in large intestine
• produces acid in stomach
that destroys foreign
bacteria
Lymph System
Functions
• filters bacteria and toxins
• transports enzymes,
hormones, and agents of
the immune system in
blood vessels
• produces lymphocytes to
fight infection
• transports digested fats
from small intestines to
bloodstream
• returns plasma proteins
to bloodstream
• collects and transports
tissue fluids to veins
• transports oxygen and
carbon dioxide, wastes,
nutrients, hormones
• fights infection
• stabilizes pH and ionic
concentrations of body
fluids
• maintains body
temperature
• forms red blood cells
• mouth
• esophagus
• stomach
• small intestine
• large intestine
• rectum
• anus
• pancreas
• liver
• salivary glands
Integumentary System
Parts
• lymph nodes
• lymph fluid
• lymph vessels
• bone marrow
• thymus gland
• adenoids
• tonsils
• spleen
• appendix
Functions
• protects internal parts of
the body from infection,
foreign materials, and
dehydration
• eliminates waste
products
• regulates body
temperature
• produces vitamin D
• holds and grasps objects
• makes fingertips sensitive
• includes the largest
organ (skin)
Parts
• red blood cells
• white blood cells
• spleen
• bone marrow
• heart
• blood vessels
• platelets
Parts
• skin
• hair
• nails
• glands
Reproductive System
Circulatory System
Functions
Parts
Functions
Parts
• ensures continuation of
the species
• produces egg and
sperm cells
• produces hormones
• develops and
nurtures offspring
• testes (sperm)
• scrotum
• vas deferens
• epididymis
• prostate gland
• bulbourethral gland
• ovaries (eggs)
• fallopian tubes
• labia
• clitoris
• vagina
• uterus
• Bartholin’s gland
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
System Functions and Parts Cards, continued
Nervous System
Functions
• body’s communication
system
• automatically controls
digestion, respiration,
body temperature, and
heart rate
• controls activities of the
body, such as walking
and talking, as voluntary
actions
Endocrine System
Parts
• brain
• spinal cord
• nerve cells
Functions
• produces hormones that
control the body’s
metabolism
• controls digestion,
mood, physiological
development, and
reproductive system’s
development
Parts
• pituitary
• pancreas
• hypothalamus
• parathyroid
• thyroid
• adrenal
• ovary
• testis
• pineal
Respiratory System
Functions
• moistens, warms, and
filters air
• passes air over vocal
cords to produce
sound
• diffuses oxygen into
the blood and carbon
dioxide out of the blood
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Parts
• nose
• larynx
• pharynx
• trachea
• bronchi
• lungs
• diaphragm
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Systems Interaction Mat
System Interactions Mat
Function and Part Card
Function and Part Card
Interactions
System
System
Event
e
Int
tio
rac
ns
Inter
ac
t
i
o
ns
System
Function and Part Card
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
System Interactions Table
These two organ
systems interact
to protect the
body from
infection caused
by bacteria and
other germs.
Both of these
organ systems
interact to protect
the body from
infection and to
regulate body
temperature.
The oxygen supply
for the body is
controlled by the
interaction of these
two systems.
Without the
interaction between
these two systems,
touching a hot
surface could result
in more damage
than a simple
blister.
These two systems
work together to
digest fats and
transport the
digested fats to
the bloodstream.
These two systems
interact to make
specialized cells and
hormones, which
ensure that a species
of animal continues.
System Interactions Cards
Immune
Integumentary
Digestive
and
and
and
Digestive
Circulatory
Lymph
Endocrine
Integumentary
and
Nervous
Nervous
and
Reproductive
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Blackline Masters
and
Circulatory
The Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin
STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Biological Processes and Systems
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Student Pages
Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to reinforce your understanding that systems in animals constantly
interact with one another to keep the animals functioning properly.
Before You Begin…
Check to see that all the items are present and organized according to the Station Information
sheet. If you notice a problem, notify your teacher immediately.
Materials
• Systems and Event Cards (both sets in one envelope)
• System Functions and Parts Cards
• System Interactions Mat
• System Interactions Table and System Interactions Cards (both in same envelope)
Essential Question
Why is it important that an organ system interact with other organ systems?
Discuss the essential question with your teammate(s) and record your answer.
Activities and Questions
Locate the envelope containing the Systems and Events Cards and the envelope containing the
System Functions and Parts Cards. These cards will all be used with the System Interactions
Mat.
Remove the cards from the Systems and Events envelope. Separate the cards into two stacks:
systems cards and events cards.
Place the Systems Interactions Mat in the center of the table. Select the event card showing
infection and place it in the center of the mat, as shown in the diagram below.
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From the Systems Cards, select the circulatory, lymph, and immune system cards and place
them on the mat. Find the System Functions and Parts Cards, select the circulatory, lymph, and
immune system cards, and place them on the mat as shown below.
Lymph System
Functions
Immune System
Functions
Parts
• protects the body from
• lymph nodes
illness and infections
• spleen
• production of mucus
• bone marrow
Function
and
antibodies,
T-cells,
andPart Card
• thymus gland
lymphocytes
• tonsils
• white blood cells
• T-cells
• antibodies
• interferon
Interactions
Parts
• filter bacteria and toxins
• lymph nodes
• transports enzymes,
• lymph fluid
hormones, and agents of
• lymph vessels
the immune system in
• bone marrow
blood vessels
• thymus gland
• produce lymphocytes to
• adenoids
• tonsils
fight infection
• spleen
• transport digested
fats
Function
and
Part Card
• appendix
from small intestines to
blood stream
• return plasma proteins
to bloodstream
• collect and transport
tissue fluids to veins
Lymph
System
Immune
System
Event
infection
ions
act
r
e
Int
Int
e
r
a
ctio
ns
Circulatory
System
Circulatory System
Functions
Parts
• red blood cells
• transports oxygen and
Function
and Part
Card
• white
blood cells
carbon dioxide,
wastes,
• spleen
nutrients, hormones
• bone marrow
• fights infection
• heart
• stabilizes pH and ionic
• blood vessels
concentrations of body
fluids
• maintains body
temperature
• form red blood cells
1. What are some of the interactions that occur among the lymph, circulatory, and immune
systems when a person is fighting an infection like the flu?
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Student Pages
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
Clear the cards from the System Interactions Mat. Put the digestive, nervous, and lymph system
cards on the mat, as shown below, and replace the infection event card with the eating card.
Digestive System
Functions
Nervous System
Parts
• breaks down foods into
biomolecules for
nourishment and to
provide energy
• absorbs nutrients and
vitamins into circulatory
and lymph systems
• removes excess water
in large intestine
• acid in stomach destroys
foreign bacteria
• mouth
• esophagus
• stomach
• small intestine
• large intestine
• rectum
• anus
• pancreas
• liver
• salivary glands
• liver
Functions
Interactions
Parts
• body’s communication
system
• controls digestion,
respiration, body
temperature, heart rate
automatically
• controls activities of the
body like walking and
talking as voluntary
actions
• brain
• spinal cord
• nerve cells
Nervous
System
Digestive
System
Event
eating
ns
ct
era
t
In
ions
In
t
e
r
act
io
Lymph
System
Lymph System
Functions
• filter bacteria and toxins
• transports enzymes,
hormones, and agents of
the immune system in
blood vessels
• produce lymphocytes to
fight infection
• transport digested fats
from small intestines to
blood stream
• return plasma proteins
to bloodstream
• collect and transport
tissue fluids to veins
Parts
• lymph nodes
• lymph fluid
• lymph vessels
• bone marrow
• thymus gland
• adenoids
• tonsils
• spleen
• appendix
2. What interactions must occur among the digestive, nervous, and lymph systems to enable
digested food (biomolecules) to be transported from the digestive system to the cells of
the body?
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Return all of the cards to the appropriate envelopes before answering Question 3.
3. When a runner completes a 10K race, she is breathing heavily, sweating profusely, and
her heart rate is rapid. What systems are involved in causing these changes in her body
systems? How do these systems interact to allow her to complete the race?
Locate the envelope containing the Systems Interactions Table and System Interactions Cards
and place them on the table. Read each section of the table, then find the interaction card that
names the systems described in each section and place it on top of that section. Continue until
all cards have been placed on the table.
Interaction of Systems Table
Systems Interaction Table
These two organ
systems interact
to protect the
body from
infection caused
by bacteria and
other germs.
Both of these
organ systems
interact to protect
the body from
infection and to
regulate body
temperature.
These two systems
work together to
digest fats and
transport the
digested fats to
the bloodstream.
The oxygen supply
for the body is
controlled by the
interaction of these
two systems.
Without the
interaction between
these
two systems
Endocrine
the touching a hot
surface and
could result
in more
damage
Respiration
than a simple
blister.
These two systems
interact to make
specialized cells and
hormones, which
ensure that a species
of animal continues.
4. Record the names of the systems from the cards you selected in the spaces below.
Systems Interactions Table
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STAAR Biology: Assessment Activities
Interactions Among Animal Systems
5. Now that you have completed these questions, return to the Essential Question. Would
you like to modify your answer? Write any modifications below.
Note: Because other students are going to do the activity after you, be sure to put all the materials at the station
back as you found them. Sometimes there will be materials that need to be renewed or replaced. If you need
assistance or have any questions, ask your teacher.
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I Need to Remember . . .
Complete this part after class discussion of this station.
I need to remember....
Glossary
System Interaction
System interaction occurs when two or more systems act upon or influence each other.
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