Teacher Resources
QUICK LAB
Body Systems: Their Structures
and Functions
Small groups
15 minutes
LAB RATINGS
MATERIALS
For each group
• bags, plastic
• pictures of organs
and organ systems
My Notes
Teacher Prep —
________________
Student Setup —
________________
Cleanup —
________________
TEACHER NOTES
________________
________________
In this activity, students will identify human organs and organ systems and
determine the function of each. They will explain why organ systems work
together. Students will also use their imaginations to think of an object that
they can associate with each organ system as a way to describe the function of that organ
system. They will write sentences in the form of a simile to describe how the object is like
the organ system. You may want to have each group focus on a different system instead of
all groups doing all eight systems.
To prepare for this activity, locate and copy pictures of major organs and organ systems.
You can find suitable pictures on the Internet or in books. Place the copied pictures in
plastic bags and number each bag. Provide one set of bags containing eight to ten pictures
for each table or group. Have students work in groups of three or four.
Tip This activity will help students learn the organ systems and their functions, some of the
organs in each, and a mnemonic to help them recall the information.
Skills Focus Making Comparisons, Describing Concepts
MODIFICATION FOR
Have students find pictures of organs and organ systems from a library or trusted online
source, name them, and determine their functions. Then have them write a simile for each.
Answer Key
3. Answers will vary. Sample answer: The immune system fights invaders.
The integumentary system protects the body from the external environment.
5. Because using a mnemonic, like a simile, will help a person remember new concepts.
Unit 1, Lesson 1
Introduction to Body Systems
Teacher Resources
Quick Lab continued
6.
Sample answer: The human body is complex and the organs perform the functions
necessary for
the human to survive. Each organ system has an important function that provides the
organism
with the ability to survive.
7. Sample answer: Each organ system has a unique function and all systems work together to
allow
the human body to function properly as a whole. If one organ of an organ system is not
functioning properly, then the entire organ system may not function properly and the human
will not be able to function well and may not survive.
Simile
Bag
Organ
System
Organs in the
System
Main Function of the
Organ System
The ____(organ system) is like a/an
_____(object) because it_______.
1
Digestive
Stomach,
intestines
Breaks down food
2
Respiratory
Lungs,
diaphragm
3
Muscular
Bicep,
abdominals
Provides movement
4
Skeletal
Femur, ribs,
skull
Provides support
The skeletal system is like a clothes
hanger because it provides support.
5
Excretory
Bladder, kidney
Removes wastes
The excretory system is like a trash can
because it is used to remove wastes.
6
Nervous
Brain, spinal
cord
7
Circulatory
Heart, aorta
Transports materials to
cells
The circulatory system is like a semitruck because it transports materials to
different places.
8
Endocrine
Thyroid, adrenals
Produces chemicals
needed by body
The endocrine system is like a chemical
factory because it produces chemicals
for specific purposes.
The digestive system is like a
blender because it breaks down food.
Provide oxygen to the cells The respiratory system is like an
and remove carbon
oxygen tank because it contains gas.
dioxide from body
The muscular system is like a rubber
band because it can allow something to
move.
Relays messages between The nervous system is like an electrical
the brain and body through cord because it relays messages
electrical impulses
through electrical impulses.
Unit 1, Lesson 1
Introduction to Body Systems
Name _________________________ Period _______________ Date_____________________
Science 6
Mr. Ascher
QUICK LAB
Body Systems: Their Structures and
Functions
OBJECTIVE
In this lab you will identify human organs and organ systems along
with their functions. Then you will think of a simile to help you
describe the main function of each organ system.
PROCEDURE
Obtain a set of eight bags containing pictures of organs and
organ systems.
Work together to identify the organs and organ systems. As you
do, think of a simile for each organ system. A simile compares
two unlike things and finds a similarity. For example: the
digestive system is like a blender because it breaks down food..
OBJECTIVES
• Summarize the
functions of the
major organ
systems of the
human body.
• Explain how organ
systems work
together.
MATERIALS
• bags, plastic
• pictures of organs
and organ systems
HINT- Use your text book for help!!! Unit 1, Lesson 1
Record your identifications in the table below.
Organs, Organ Systems, and Similes- DATA TABLE
Simile
Bag
Organs in the
System
Organ System
Main Function of the Organ
System
The ____(organ system) is like a/an
_____(object) because it_______.
1.
1
2.
1.
2
2.
1.
3
2.
Unit 1, Lesson 1
Introduction to Body Systems
Name _________________________ Period _______________ Date_____________________
Science 6
Mr. Ascher
1.
2.
4
3.
1.
5
2.
1.
2.
6
3.
1.
7
2.
1.
8
2.
Quick Lab continued
Explain how the organs work together for the human body’s survival.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Why do you think the human body has so many different organs and organ
systems?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
True or False:
____________Two or more organs make an organ system.
____________Two or more organ systems make up an organ.
Unit 1, Lesson 1
Introduction to Body Systems
Name _________________________ Period _______________ Date_____________________
Science 6
Mr. Ascher
Unit 1, Lesson 1
Introduction to Body Systems