Unit 6
Human Physiology
Systems Review
CALIFORNIA CONTENT STANDARDS: Physiology
BI9. As a result of the coordinated structures and functions of
organ systems, the internal environment of the human body
remains relatively stable (homeostatic) despite changes in the
outside environment. As a basis for understanding this concept:
a. Students know how the complementary activity of major body systems
provides cells with oxygen and nutrients and removes toxic waste
products such as carbon dioxide.
b. Students know how the nervous system mediates communication
between different parts of the body and the body’s interactions with the
environment.
c. Students know how feedback loops in the nervous and endocrine
systems regulate conditions in the body.
d. Students know the functions of the nervous system and the role of
neurons in transmitting electrochemical impulses.
e. Students know the roles of sensory neurons, interneurons, and
motor neurons in sensation, thought, and response.
CALIFORNIA CONTENT STANDARDS: Physiology
BI10. Organisms have a variety of mechanisms to combat disease.
As a basis for understanding the human immune response:
a. Students know the role of the skin in providing nonspecific defenses
against infection.
b. Students know the role of antibodies in the body’s response to
infection.
c. Students know how vaccination protects an individual from infectious
diseases.
d. Students know there are important differences between bacteria and
viruses with respect to their requirements for growth and replication, the
body’s primary defenses against bacterial and viral infections, and
effective treatments of these infections.
e. Students know why an individual with a compromised immune
system (for example, a person with AIDS) may be unable to fight off and
survive infections by microorganisms that are usually benign.
I. Anatomy and Physiology
A. Anatomy- study of the structure and shape
of the body and body parts and their relationship
to each other (from Greek ana-apart and tomyto cut)
B. Physiology- study of how
the body and its parts work or
function (from Greek physionature and ology- the study of)
II. Levels of Structural Organization- biologist
have identified levels of organization that make it
easier to classify and describe the cells within an
organism
Atoms cells  tissues  organs organ systems
III. Organ System Overview- 11 systems in the
human body
A. Integumentary System- external
covering of the body (the skin)
1. Largest organ of the body
2. Waterproofs body and protects
deeper tissues from injury
3. Secretes salts and urea (waste
products) in perspiration (regulates
body temperature
4. Sensory receptors in skin (temp,
pressure, pain, etc.)
5. Serves as barrier against infection
and protection from UV rays from sun
B. Skeletal System- consists of bones,
cartilages, ligaments and joints
1. Supports the body
2. Provides framework for
skeletal muscles
3. Protection
4. Produces blood in cavities of
skeleton
5. Storehouse for minerals
C. Muscular System- to produce movement by
contraction
1. Skeletal muscles- allows
body to move
2. Heart muscle and of other
hollow organs- move fluids
(blood, urine) and other
substances (such as food,
wastes, hormones, etc.)
D. Nervous System- brain, spinal cord, nerves,
and sensory receptors
1. Allows body to respond to
stimuli (light, sound,
temperature, pressure, etc.)
2. Operates on
electrochemical impulses
3. Responds to internal and
external changes by activating
appropriate muscles or glands
E. Endocrine System- controls body activities,
but acts more slowly than nervous system
(pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, pineal,
ovaries, testes)
1. Endocrine glands produce
hormones and release them
into the bloodstream
2. Regulates other structures
(growth, reproduction, food use
by cells, etc.)
3. Regulated by feedback
controls that function to
maintain homeostasis
Feedback mechanism of endocrine system
F. Circulatory System- composed of the
cardiovascular and lymphatic systems
1. Heart and blood vessels
make up cardiovascular
system
2. Blood carries oxygen,
nutrients, hormones, and
other substances around the
body
3. Lymphatic system picks up
fluid (lymph) leaked from blood,
filters it, and returns it to the
blood via network of vessels
G. Respiratory System- nasal passages,
pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs
1. Keeps blood constantly
supplied with oxygen and
removes carbon dioxide
(waste product).
2. Gas exchange occurs
through walls of the air sacs of
the lungs
H. Digestive System- basically a tube running
from mouth to anus (mouth, oral cavity,
esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines,
rectum and anus
1. Breaks down food (with help
of digestive enzymes) and
delivers products to the blood
2. Reclaims water
I. Urinary System- rids body of nitrogencontaining wastes (urea and uric acid) includes
kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
1. Maintains bodies
homeostatic balance of water,
salt, nitrogenous wastes
2. Regulates acid-base
balance of the blood
J. Reproductive System- exists primarily to
produce offspring
K. Immune System- your
bodies primary defense
against pathogens (disease
causing agent)
1. Non-specific defenses
a. First line of defenseyour skin, mucus, sweat,
and tears.
b. Second line of
defense- inflammatory
response
2. Specific defense- called
immune response
Homeostasis- as a
result of coordinated
structures and
functions of organ
systems, the internal
environment of the
human body remains
relatively stable
(homeostatic),
despite changes in
the outside
environment.