Download Living Systems - Alaska K-12 Science Curricular Initiative (AKSCI)

LIVING SYSTEMS
Overview:
Organs working together to perform a specialized role in the body form body systems. Body systems are
interdependent on other body systems to maintain body function.
Objectives:
The student will:
• name and describe the function of five systems of the human body;
• explain how those body systems are interconnected; and
• relate the concept of interconnectedness to an indigenous community.
Targeted Alaska Grade Level Expectations:
Science
[8] SC2.3 The student demonstrates an understanding of the structure, function, behavior, development, life
cycles, and diversity of living organisms by describing the functions and interdependence of human body
systems (i.e., circulatory, respiratory, nervous).
[8] SA1.1 The student demonstrates an understanding of the processes of science by asking questions,
predicting, describing, measuring, classifying, making generalizations, inferring, and communicating.
Vocabulary:
body system – a group of organs working together to perform a certain task
brain – the part of the nervous system in vertebrates that is enclosed within the skull, is connected with the
spinal cord, and is composed of gray matter and white matter; it receives and interprets impulses from
sense organs, and it coordinates and controls body functions and activities, such as walking and talking; the
brain is also the center of memory, thought, and feeling
cardiovascular system – (see circulatory system)
circulatory system – the system of organs that circulates blood through the body carrying nutrients, gases,
hormones, and blood cells; includes the heart and blood vessels; in all vertebrates and certain invertebrates,
the circulatory system is completely contained within a network of vessels
digestive system – the system of organs that processes and digests nutrients, breaking them down by
mechanical and chemical processes; includes salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder,
pancreas, intestines, rectum and anus
endocrine system – the organ system of glands that regulates communication within the body using hormones
made by endocrine glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid glands, and
adrenals
esophagus – the tube of the digestive tract through which food passes from the throat to the stomach
heart – the hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood through the body of a vertebrate animal by contracting
and relaxing; in humans and other mammals it has four chambers, consisting of two atria and two
ventricles; the right side of the heart collects blood with low oxygen levels from the veins and pumps it to
the lungs, the left side receives blood with high oxygen levels from the lungs and pumps it into the aorta,
which carries it to all of the arteries of the body; the heart in other vertebrates functions similarly, but often
has fewer chambers
immune system – the organ system that defends the body against disease-causing agents, consisting of
leukocytes, tonsils, adenoids, thymus and spleen (also see lymphatic system)
integumentary system – the organ system that covers and protects the body from damage, consisting of skin,
hair, fat and nails, scales, feathers
large intestine – the wide lower section of the intestine that extends from the end of the small intestine to the anus
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Living Systems
LIVING SYSTEMS
liver – a large, glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrate animals that is essential to many metabolic
processes; the liver secretes bile, stores fat and sugar as reserve energy sources, coverts harmful substances
to less toxic forms, and regulates the amount of blood in the body
lung – either of two spongy organs in the chest of air-breathing vertebrate animals that serve as the organs of
gas exchange; takes in oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide
lymphatic system – the system of organs that transfers lymph (fluid that carries bacteria to be destroyed)
between tissues and the blood stream, consisting of nodes and vessels; includes the immune system
kidney – either of a pair of organs that are located in the rear of the abdominal cavity of vertebrate animals;
regulates the amount of water in the body and filters out waste from the bloodstream in the form of urine
muscular system – the system of organs that allows the body to move, controlled through the nervous system;
some muscles can be completely autonomous (such as the heart muscle)
nervous system – the organ system, made of specialized cells called neurons, that collects and transfers
information using the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and nerves
organ – a distinct part of an organism that performs one of more particular functions; examples of organs are
the eyes, ears, lungs, and heart of an animal, and the roots, stems and leaves of a plant
pancreas – a long, irregularly shaped gland in vertebrate animals that is located behind the stomach; it secretes
insulin and produces enzymes needed for digestion, which are secreted into the gut or small intestine
reproductive system – the system of organs that work together for the purpose of reproduction (creating
offspring); includes ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, mammary glands, testes, vas deferens, seminal
vesicles, prostate and penis
respiratory system – the system of organs used for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide (breathing),
including the lungs, diaphragm, trachea, bronchi, larynx and pharynx
skeletal system – the system of organs that provides structural support to the body, including bones, cartilage,
ligaments and tendons
small intestine – the long, narrow, coiled section of the intestine that extends from the stomach to the
beginning of the large intestine; nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine
stomach – the sac-like, muscular organ in vertebrate animals that receives and stores swallowed food and is a
main organ of digestion
trachea – tube-shaped structure in vertebrate animals that leads from the larynx to the bronchi and carries air
to the lungs
urinary system – the system of organs responsible for fluid balance and the excretion of urine; includes the
kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra
vertebrate – any of a large group of animals having a backbone, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and
mammals; vertebrates are bilaterally symmetrical and have an internal skeleton of bone or cartilage, a nervous
system along the back that is divided into brain and spinal cord, and not more than two pairs of limbs
Whole Picture:
Students should be familiar with the idea that cells are the basic building blocks of all life. Cells form tissues with
very specific roles in the body. In turn, tissues form organs. A group of organs, working in concert to perform
specific tasks, is called a body system.
Athabascan culture is perfect example of interdependence of systems. Each of these cultural values are
interdependent:
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hard work
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care and provision for the family
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love for children
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honor
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honesty
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Living Systems
LIVING SYSTEMS
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sharing
caring
cooperation
practice of traditions
respect of Elders and others, for the land, and for nature
It is impossible to provide and care for family without hard work, sharing, honor and cooperation. In a wider
sense, community members are also interdependent. For example, Elders rely on others to share food and other
resources. If part of the system fails, many are affected.
The same concept applies to human body systems. For a healthy body, each system must work to its full
potential. In addition, if any system fails completely, the whole body fails.
Materials:
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Tape
Scissors
VISUAL AID: “Circulatory System”
VISUAL AID: “Respiratory System”
VISUAL AID: “Digestive System”
VISUAL AID: “Muscular System”
VISUAL AID: “Skeletal System”
VISUAL AID: “Nervous System”
VISUAL AID: “Urinary System”
VISUAL AID: “Other Body Systems”
STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET: “Body Systems Descriptions”
STUDENT WORKSHEET: “Diagramming Body Systems”
Activity Preparation:
Make enough copies of STUDENT WORKSHEET: “Diagramming Body Systems” for each small group. (See Activity
Procedure 8.)
Activity Procedure:
1. Ask students to discuss the concept of interdependence in the community. (See Whole Picture; share
relevant concepts.) Ask students for examples of community interdependence. Explain many systems,
including communities, are interdependent. In fact, the human body is made up of interdependent systems.
2. Ask students how many human body systems they can name. Write responses on the board. If they name an
organ (rather than a system), ask them to name the system the organ belongs in. For example, “The heart is
an organ. It works with other organs in what system?” (The circulatory system.) Give students hints until all
10 systems in this lesson have been named and recorded. Ask student, “If any one of these systems fail, can
the body still survive?”
3. Ask students to stand then hold one arm straight in the air while letting the other arm fall to the side. Time
students for one minute, then ask students to look at both hands side by side. The hand that was raised
up high is much paler than the one hanging down. Ask students to explain. (Gravity works against flow of
blood through veins and arteries. Blood is heavy! Gravity made it harder for your heart to pump blood to the
hand over your head.) The circulatory system works hard 24 hours a day distributing blood, with nutrients
and gases, throughout the body.
4. Show VISUAL AID: “Circulatory System.” Discuss. Ask students, “What other organs and body systems are
dependent on the circulatory system?” (All of them.) Body systems are “interdependent,” meaning they
function with the assistance of other body systems.
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Living Systems
LIVING SYSTEMS
5. Ask students, “How does the circulatory system obtain oxygen and other gases in order be able to distribute
them throughout the body?” (By passing through the lungs.) Show VISUAL AID: “Respiratory System.”
Discuss. Again, the two systems are dependent on one another. The lungs need the circulatory system to
help distribute the oxygen they take in. The circulatory system needs the respiratory system to provide it
with oxygen.
6. Ask students, “How does the circulatory system obtain nutrients to feed the body what it needs to grow
and repair itself?” (The digestive system breaks down the food we eat into usable forms before it enters
the bloodstream.) Show VISUAL AID: “Digestive System.” Discuss. Ask, “Do any other body systems need the
digestive system?” (Yes, all of them need nutrients to maintain, repair and grow.)
7. Show VISUAL AID: “Muscular System.” Ask students to flex their arm. Now ask them to just think about
flexing, but don’t actually move. Both involve thinking. What is the difference? Ask students, “How do
your muscles know to move?” (Most muscles are controlled by the nervous system; some, like the heart, is
autonomous.) Again, the muscular system is dependent on all the systems named so far and more. Muscles
would not be able to do their work if they weren’t attached to a structure. Ask, “What is that structure?” (The
skeletal system.) We would be like jellyfish without it.
8. Repeat the process with VISUAL AIDS: “Skeletal System,” “Nervous System,” “Urinary System,” and “Other Body
Systems.” Hand out STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET: “Body Systems Descriptions.” Discuss the function and
interdependence of each system.
9. Divide students into small groups. Explain groups will research a body system, including what the system
does, what organs are involved in the system and how it is interdependent with other systems. (NOTE:
Depending on class size, groups may need to research more than one body system.) Hand out STUDENT
WORKSHEET: “Diagramming Body Systems.” Groups will need one copy of page 1 for each body system.
Groups will need multiple copies of page 2 and page 3 for each body system. In addition, allow students
to use the corresponding visual aid for each body system researched. Students should use the information
sheet as well as other classroom resources such as textbooks and the Internet to describe the body system,
name the organs involved, illustrate the organs and be ready to describe how the system is interdependent.
10. Once students have completed research on body systems, ask each group to share their findings. Display
student work.
Extension Idea:
The website BBC Science: Human Body and Mind offers interactive games about human body systems. Using an
Internet search engine, enter the search terms, “BBC Science interactive games.”
Answers:
STUDENT LAB: “Diagramming Body Systems”
Student diagrams will vary, but should reflect the information on corresponding visual aids, as well as STUDENT
INFORMATION SHEET: “Body System Description.”
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Living Systems
image courtesy of Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, wikimedia commons
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
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Living Systems
image courtesy of Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, wikimedia commons
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
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Living Systems
image courtesy of Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, wikimedia commons
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
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Living Systems
© Dannyphoto80 | Dreamstime.com
MUSCULAR SYSTEM
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Living Systems
SKELETAL SYSTEM
Skull
Cranium
Spinal Column
Cervical
Vertebrae (I-VII)
Mandible
Thoracic
Vertebrae (T I - T XII)
Clavicle
Manubrium
Scapula
Sternum
Ribs
Lumbar
Vertebrae (L I - L V)
Humerus
Ulna
Radius
Pelvic Girdle
Sacrum
Coccyx
Carpals
Metacarpals
Phalanges
image courtesy of Mariana Ruiz Villarreal, wikimedia commons
Femur
Patella
Tibia
Fibula
Tarsals
Metatarsals
Phalanges
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Living Systems
NERVOUS SYSTEM
brain
cerebellum
© Dannyphoto80 | Dreamstime.com
spinal cord
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Living Systems
URINARY SYSTEM
inferior vena cava
kidney
abdominal aorta
ureter
bladder
© Maryna Melnyk | Dreamstime.com
urethra
AKSCI ©2011 Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Living Systems
OTHER BODY SYSTEMS
Endocrine System
hypothalmus
pituitary
gland
pineal gland
© Gnanavel Subramani | Dreamstime.com
Integumentary System
larynx
hair shaft
thyroid gland
epidermis
trachea
© Guniita | Dreamstime.com
dermis
hair follicle
Lymph Node Structure
hypodermis
© Get4net | Dreamstime.com
© Legger | Dreamstime.com
AKSCI ©2011 Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Living Systems
NAME: __________________________
BODY SYSTEM DESCRIPTIONS
body system – a group of organs working together to perform a certain task
organ – a distinct part of an organism that performs one of more particular functions; examples of organs are
the eyes, ears, lungs, and heart of an animal, and the roots, stems and leaves of a plant
Circulatory System – the system of organs that
circulates blood through the body carrying nutrients,
gases, hormones, and blood cells; in all vertebrates
and certain invertebrates, the circulatory system is
completely contained within a network of vessels
Organs involved: heart, veins, arteries and capillaries
Digestive System – the system of organs that
processes and digests nutrients, breaking them down
by mechanical and chemical processes
Organs involved: salivary glands, esophagus,
stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines,
rectum and anus
Lymphatic System – the system of organs that
transfers lymph (fluid that carries bacteria to be
destroyed) between tissues and the blood stream;
includes the immune system which defends the body
against disease-causing agents
Organs involved: lymph nodes and vessels, tonsils,
adenoids, thymus and spleen
Respiratory System – the system of organs used
for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide
(breathing)
Nervous System – the organ system, made of
specialized cells called neurons, that collects and
transfers information
Organs involved: brain, spinal cord, peripheral
nerves and nerves
Endocrine System – the organ system of glands
that regulates communication within the body using
hormones made by endocrine glands
Organs involved: hypothalamus glands, pituitary
glands, pineal glands, thyroid glands, parathyroid
glands, and adrenal glands
Muscular System – the system of organs that
allows the body to move, controlled through the
nervous system; some muscles can be completely
autonomous (such as the heart muscle)
Organs involved: muscles; cardiac muscle and
smooth muscle
Skeletal System – the system of organs that provides
structural support to the body
Organs involved: bones, cartilage, ligaments and
tendons
Organs involved: lungs, diaphragm, trachea, bronchi,
larynx and pharynx
Urinary System – the system of organs responsible
for fluid balance and the excretion of urine
Organs involved: kidneys, ureters, bladder and
urethra
AKSCI ©2011 Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Living Systems
AKSCI ©2011 Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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What it’s responsible for: ___________________________________________
Body System
______________________________________________________________________
NAME: __________________________
DIAGRAMMING BODY SYSTEMS
Living Systems
NAME: __________________________
DIAGRAMMING BODY SYSTEMS
______________________________________________
Organ
Function:
Illustration:
______________________________________________
Organ
Function:
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Illustration:
Living Systems
NAME: __________________________
DIAGRAMMING BODY SYSTEMS
AKSCI ©2011 Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Living Systems