Download ANSWER KEY for Study Guide for Human Body Systems

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Human Body Unit Study Guide Questions
Answer the questions below in complete sentences.
1. Describe the path food goes through the digestive system.
Mechanical and chemical digestion start in the mouth. Food travels down the
esophagus to the stomach where hydrochloric acid and other digestive juices help
break it down more. The food moves from the stomach to the small intestine where the
villi absorb nutrients and water from the food, finally to the large intestine where more
water is absorbed and out the rectum.
2. Compare and contrast the small and large intestines.
Similarities: The small and large intestine both absorb water and are part of the
digestive system. They are tube-like smooth muscle organs. Both push food using
peristalsis.
Differences: The small intestine is much longer than the large intestine and absorbs
nutrients with villi. The large intestine is shorter in length, has a bigger diameter, and
forms the feces by absorbing excess water.
3. Compare and contrast the three main types of muscles.
The 3 types of muscle tissue are cardiac, smooth, and skeletal.
Compare: All muscles are tissues that perform functions which cause movement
to take place. All muscles rely on the circulatory system for oxygen and nutrients.
Cardiac and smooth muscles are involuntary.
Differences: Cardiac muscles are located in the heart, appear striated, and are
under involuntary control. Skeletal - voluntary; striated; e.g. biceps, triceps.
Smooth - involuntary; non-striated; found along the gastrointestinal track (i.e.
wall of intestine).
4. Describe real life examples of voluntary and involuntary muscles.
Your digestive organs are involuntary muscles; they help you move food through the
digestive track without conscience effort (thinking about it).
Voluntary muscles are controlled by will and are usually skeletal muscles. Throwing a
dodgeball is an example of using voluntary muscles. You will your arm to move.
5. What is the difference between the axial and appendicular skeletons?
The axial skeleton makes up our central axis and consists of the following bones: skull,
vertebrae, ribs and sternum. The appendicular skeleton consists of the arms, legs, other
bones that allow movement, and girdles.
6. Describe five types of joints by name, give an example of each and explain the
movement for each type of joint.
Gliding or Sliding Joint: allows the wrist and spine to twist and bend.
Hinge Joint: allows the knee, knuckle, ankle, finger, & toe to bend.
Ball & Socket Joint: allows the hip & shoulder to swivel.
Pivot Joint: allows the elbow and neck to twist.
Immoveable: he skull is composed of distinct bony plates that come together at
joints called sutures that allow little or no movement, especially in adults.
7. Describe the movement of the diaphragm when you breathe. Why is this
important?
The diaphragm moves down when you breathe in and pushes up when you
exhale. The movement is important because it allows your lungs to expand and
contract. The lungs fill with fresh air which takes oxygen into your blood stream
and removes the waste gas called carbon dioxide.
8. What is the function of the alveoli?
Alveoli are tiny sacs within our lungs that allow oxygen and carbon dioxide to
move between the lungs and bloodstream.
9. Describe the path air goes through the respiratory system.
Nose/mouth, trachea, bronchial tubes, lungs.
10. Compare and contrast plasma and platelets. Why do humans need
both?
Blood contains several components, including red blood cells, platelets, white
blood cells and plasma. Both are found in your blood. Both are necessary for a
health immune system.
plasma – A fluid that contains proteins, glucose, hormones, gases and other
substances dissolved in water.
Platelets – large, solid cell fragments, help form blood clots. Clotting keeps us
from losing too much blood from a cut.
11. Compare and contrast arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Arteries – carry oxygenated blood away from heart to the rest of the body–
strong, thick walls. Veins – carry blood back to the heart, thinner; have a oneway valve.
Capillaries – narrow, smallest blood vessels, they connect arteries with veins.
12. Why do humans need both red and white blood cells?
Humans need red blood cells and white blood cells because they do different
jobs. While both are necessary for the body's proper functioning, they each
have singular roles. Red blood cells carry oxygen, while white cells do not, for
example. Red blood cells in humans do not have nuclei, while white cells do.
13. How do the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to keep you alive?
When you breathe, your respiratory system receives fresh oxygen.
The oxygen goes into your lungs and into your blood stream with the help
of the alveoli and capillaries. The oxygen rich blood goes into VEINS on
the left side of your heart. Then it is then pumped by the hearts ARTERIES
into your blood stream. Blood travels throughout your body. Blood delivers
vital nutrients, oxygen, and other chemicals to every cell in your body. A
waste gas called carbon dioxide is produced during this process. The
blood carries carbon dioxide into the right side of your heart, from which it
is pumped to the lungs. When you breathe out, the carbon dioxide leaves
your body through the lungs.
14. How do the skeletal and muscular systems work together to keep you
alive?
Your skeletal system (bones) provide structure, support and protection your
organs, and muscles. Muscles are connected to your bones by joints. These
systems work together through a series of impulses and signals communicated
between the brain and skeletal muscles. In order to move, the nervous system
signals a skeletal muscle to contract. When the muscle contracts, this
movement causes the attached bone (or bones) to follow.
15. How do the digestive and muscular systems work together to keep you alive?
The digestive system helps turn food into a form that the body can absorb
nutrients from. The nutrients absorbed through the digestive system are carried
throughout the body with the circulatory system. The food that is eaten is broken
down into particles and passed through the digestive tract using a series of
smooth muscles in your digestive organs. The organs include the mouth,
esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, the colon and the rectum. All of
these parts work together to pass food through the body while absorbing the
nutrients the body needs to live.