Body Systems
Many of the most important and interesting things about the human body are to do with Homeostasis (from the Greek meaning "standing still). Homeostasis is vital so that when there is too much of something (or not enough), this is corrected, so that the body can keep on working. An example of this is that if you get hot, your body tries to cool down by sweating (among other things). In this way homeostasis is a balancing act, with your body responding to change, to maintain desirable conditions.
Many of the functions within the body are to do within maintaining homeostasis and different functions of the body can be split into "SYSTEMS". Systems are really important and that is why much of this site is separated into different systems. Each system uses different organs to do a particular job. This may mean getting nutrients from food (with the digestive system) or get oxygen from air (respiratory system), or getting these things to the places in the body that need them (circulatory system), or defending the body if it becomes infected by something that may harm it (immune system).
Now, while were on the subject, here are a few terms to consider:
ORGANS are things that do a specialised role in the body and organs are unique from each other. These are things like the heart, lungs etc. Organs are made up from TISSUE and tissue is made up from even smaller building blocks, called CELLS. Cells are tiny (the smallest) living things. Animal (including human) cells typically have a cell membrane (like a skin) for protection, a nucleus (helps the cell to reproduce) and mitochondria (for making energy) - among other features. Importantly, cells can be considered as being independent living things, not just bits of us.
Many of the functions within the body are to do within maintaining homeostasis and different functions of the body can be split into "SYSTEMS". Systems are really important and that is why much of this site is separated into different systems. Each system uses different organs to do a particular job. This may mean getting nutrients from food (with the digestive system) or get oxygen from air (respiratory system), or getting these things to the places in the body that need them (circulatory system), or defending the body if it becomes infected by something that may harm it (immune system).
Now, while were on the subject, here are a few terms to consider:
ORGANS are things that do a specialised role in the body and organs are unique from each other. These are things like the heart, lungs etc. Organs are made up from TISSUE and tissue is made up from even smaller building blocks, called CELLS. Cells are tiny (the smallest) living things. Animal (including human) cells typically have a cell membrane (like a skin) for protection, a nucleus (helps the cell to reproduce) and mitochondria (for making energy) - among other features. Importantly, cells can be considered as being independent living things, not just bits of us.
So, how amazing is it to think that your body (including
your organs, even your brain and therefore your thoughts and personality in a
way) is made up of cells, which themselves are separate living
things!
look through this section on systems to find out some really cool
things about how complicated and yet how simple our bodies
are.
Visit our dictionary section to see our (perhaps
unconventional) way of defining some of the words used on physiology
by this site.
your organs, even your brain and therefore your thoughts and personality in a
way) is made up of cells, which themselves are separate living
things!
look through this section on systems to find out some really cool
things about how complicated and yet how simple our bodies
are.
Visit our dictionary section to see our (perhaps
unconventional) way of defining some of the words used on physiology
by this site.