HBS1.1.1

What is a system?

According to dictionary.com: an assemblage or combination of things or parts

forming a complex or unitary whole

Google Images for “system”

With your partner Talk about examples of nonliving systems.

How does a malfunction in one part of a system affect the whole system?

With your partnerOn your dry erase board

Come up with 3 examples of human body systems working together.

Human body systems: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9. 10. 11. 12.

Cardiovascular system, Respiratory system, Endocrine system, Nervous system, Digestive system, Urinary system, Reproductive system, Skeletal system, Muscular system, Integumentary system, and Lymphatic and Immune system.

True or False Quiz Write down your answers to the true or false

or questions. Do not discuss your responses.

True or False The stomach’s digestive acids are strong

enough to dissolve zinc. Fortunately for us, the cells in the stomach

lining renew so quickly that the acids don’t have time to dissolve it.

#2 The lungs contain over 300,000 million

capillaries (tiny blood vessels). If they were laid end to end, they would stretch 2400km (1500 miles).

#3 A man’s testicles manufacture 10 million new

sperm cells each day – enough that he could repopulate the entire planet in only 6 months!

#4 Human bone is as strong as granite in

supporting weight. A block of bone the size of a matchbox can

support 9 tons – that is four times as much as concrete can support.

#5 Each finger and toenail takes six months to

grow from base to tip.

#6 and #7 The largest organ in

the body is the skin. In an adult man it covers about 1.9m2 (20sq ft).

The skin constantly flakes away – in a lifetime each person sheds around 18kg (40 lb) of skin

#8 When you sleep, you grow by about 8mm

(0.3in). The next day you shrink back to your former

height. The reason is that your cartilage discs are

squeezed like sponges by the force of gravity when you stand or sit.

#9 The average person in the West eats 50 tons

of food and drinks 50,000 liters (11,000 gallons) of liquid during his life.

#10 Each kidney contains 1

million individual filters. They filter an average of

around 1.3 liters (2.2 pints) of blood per minute, and expel up to 1.4 liters (2.5 pints) a day of urine.

#11 The focusing muscles of the eyes move around

100,000 times a day. To give your leg muscles the same workout, you would need to walk 80km (50 miles) every day.

#12 In 30 minutes, the average body gives off

enough heat (combined) to bring a half gallon of water to boil.

#13 A single human blood cell takes only 60

seconds to make a complete circuit of the body.

#14 A foreskin, the size of a postage stamp, from

circumcised babies take only 21 days to grow skin that can cover three (3) basketball courts.

Amazing isn’t it. Thanks to science: The laboratory-grown skin

is used in treating burn patients.

#15 The eyes receive approximately 90 percent of

all our information, making us basically visual creatures.

#16 By donating one pint of blood, 4 lives can be

saved.

#17 The human heart beats roughly 35 million

times a year.

#18 It is not possible to tickle yourself. The cerebellum, a part of the brain, warns the

rest of the brain that you are about to tickle yourself.

Since your brain knows this, it ignores the resulting sensation.

In Principles of the Biomedical Sciences, you were introduced to the workings of the human body from a variety of perspectives. You discovered that the human body is, in many ways, a complex “living machine,” capable of carrying out thousands of processes on a daily basis. You also discovered that errors in these processes can occur and that medical interventions are often needed to get the body back on track.

In Human Body Systems, you will delve deeper into the workings of the body and investigate the organs and organ systems that are at the core of our identity. We all have our own unique differences, but the processes that occur inside and the general organization scheme of our bodies unite us as humans. Over the course of the year, you will study specific human body systems, developing a greater understanding of how these systems function together to maintain good health and longevity.

Did you know that red blood cells make about 250,000 trips around the human body before returning to the bone marrow (where they were created) to die? Did you know that babies are born with about 300 bones, but by adulthood, we only have 206?

In Activity 1.1.1, you will find a variety of amazing facts about a specific body system. You will review both the structure and function of the system and you will investigate how that system is capable of accomplishing the amazing feat described in these facts. As you tour interesting facts from other systems, you will decide if your system also plays a role in the process or function described in that fact. Throughout the course, you will see that our actions are the result of a coordination of many body systems. When this balance is lost or the communication between systems fails, disease or death can result.

During this activity, you will begin working with body system graphic organizers. You will use these diagrams throughout the course to compile information about specific body systems and draw and label key anatomy. Each handout has an outline of the body and you will designate each one to be used for only one system. When a handout becomes filled, you will get blank copies to continue the work. All of these will be kept in the front of your binder for references and study.

1.1.1 Form a team of four. Each team will be

assigned one of eleven human body systems. Your assigned system is now referred to as your primary system.

1.1.1 Obtain a blank copy of the body system

graphic organizer from your teacher. Set this handout aside temporarily.

1.1.1 Divide your team into two groups. Each pair

should use the Internet to find ten unusual, interesting and/or amazing facts about your primary system. These facts must be things you would not expect your classmates to know. Choose facts that are fun and interesting!

1.1.1 As a group, share your ten facts with the

entire team. As a team, select the “Top 5” amazing facts

for your primary system.