Nervous System

Say you are on a walk. You are coming to a place where you need to cross the street. You look both ways, no body is coming. But then, as soon as you start to walk a car comes your way going really fast. The next thing you know your running back to the side of the street to get out of it's way. Your heart is pounding and you're breathing really hard and fast.


When you saw the car coming, the sensory receptors in your eyes were stimulated. A message was then sent to your brain by sensory neurons. Impulses reach your brain or spinal cord, and interneurons relay the impulses from the sensory to the motor neurons. Your brain sorted the information and determined the response it would take. The response was sent back along motor neurons to your muscles. Your heart then immediately started to pound and your breathing rate increased.


The working part of the Nervous System is the nerve cell, also known as a neuron. It is made up of a cell body and branches called dendrites and axons. 

Nerves (green)

Dendrites receive massages and send them to the cell body.


Axons carry messages away from the cell body.


Any message carried by a neuron is called an impulse.

The central nervous system (or CNS) is made up of the brain and spinal cord while the peripheral nervous system (or PNS) is made up of all the nerves outside of the CNS, including cranial and spinal nerves. These nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to the other body parts.

Central Nervous System

Because of having a central nervous system with a brain, your body activities are coordinated. For example, if someone hits you in the ribs, your whole body will react.




Your brain (the organ that controls your whole entire body) is made up of approximately 100 BILLION neurons. Your brain is divided into three major parts, the cerebrum (where the impulses from the senses are interpreted, your memory is stored, and voluntary muscles are controlled), the cerebellum (where the voluntary muscle movements are coordinated and balance and muscle tone are maintained), and the brain stem (which extends from the cerebrum and connects the brain to the spinal cord. It controls your heartbeat, breathing and blood pressure). 

Your spinal cord is an extension of the brain stem. It's made up of bundles of neurons that carry impulses from all parts of your body to your brain and from your brain to all parts of your body. Your spinal cord is about as big around as an adult thumb and 43 centimeters long.

A reflex (part of the PNS) is an involuntary and automatic response to a stimulus. Usually you can't control your reflexes because they happen before you know what's going on.

Be sure not to do drugs, drink alcohol or have to much caffeine to be sure your Nervous System stays in check.

Pictures found at

http://6keysoptimalhealth.blogspot.com/2009/11/pain-relief-and-chiropractic-wellness.html  (picture on top)

http://drugster.info/ail/pathography/2734/  (central nervous system)

http://morphonix.com/software/education/science/brain/game/specimens/wet_brain.html  (brain)

http://www.typefreediabetes.com/Articles.asp?ID=219  (peripheral nervous system)

http://cdrlibraryblog.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html  (spinal cord)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/nerve.htm  (nerves)

http://morphonix.com/software/education/science/brain/game/specimens/neuron_parts.html  (neuron)

Integumentary System (Skin)

I don't believe that the Integumentary System gets enough credit. What in the world is the Integumentary System you ask? Well, it includes something on your body that you see every day. Your skin!


The skin is the body's largest organ. Through your skin, your brain receives a lot of information about the environment. 


Your skin is made up of 2 layers of tissue called the epidermis and the dermis.

The epidermis is the surface layer of the skin. The cells on the top of the epidermis are dead. Thousands of these cells rub off every time you take a shower, shake hands, blow your nose, or scratch your elbow. New cells are constantly produced at the bottom of the epidermis that eventually replace the ones that are rubbed off.


Cells in the epidermis produce the chemical melanin. 

Melanin is a pigment that gives your skin color. The more melanin, the darker your skin color is. Melanin increases when your skin is exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. 

The dermis is the layer of tissue under the epidermis. This layer is thicker than the top layer (epidermis) and contains many blood vessels, nerves, and oil and sweat glands. Your fat cells are located under the dermis.


Your skin isn't just the largest organ of your body. It also carries out several major functions. These functions include protection, sensory response, formation of vitamin D in the presence of sunlight, regulation of body temperature, and the excretion of wastes. The most important of these functions is that the skin protects your body. That way it prevents physical and chemical injury as well.


To take care of your Integumentary System, be sure to bathe or shower regularly

drink lots of water,

and be sure to wear sunscreen when out in the sun!

Pictures found at-

http://www.drugs.com/enc/image_pages/19679.html  (top picture)

 http://fcs-sarasota.blogspot.com/2011/05/importance-of-drinking-water.html  (water bottle)

http://www.empowernetwork.com/brucebui/why-should-you-adopt-contrast-shower/ (shower/bath)

http://dgfvbd.110mb.com/  (sunscreen)

http://www.realage.com/beauty-skin-care/anatomy-of-the-skin  (dermis/epidermis)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/8669.htm  (melanin)

http://missybeautimus.deviantart.com/art/Cute-Sun-154636299  (sun)

Urinary System

I'm sure that you have gone to the restroom before. Ever wonder what your urine is? How it gets to your bladder?


The Urinary System provides the answers to those questions, and many more!!


Your Urinary System is made up of your kidneys, bladder, and some connecting tubes.


The main part of the Urinary System is the kidneys. Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located on the back wall of the abdomen at about waist level. Kidneys filter blood that has collected wastes from cells. All of your blood passes through your kidneys many times a day.

Each of your kidneys are made up of about 1 million nephrons which are the tiny filtering units of the kidneys. Each nephron has a cup-like structure and a duct. Blood moves from the renal artery to capillaries in the cup-like structure. Water, sugar, salt, and wastes from your blood pass into the cup-like structure. From there, the there, the liquid is squeezed into a narrow tubule. Capillaries that surround the tubule reabsorb most of the water, sugar and salt and return it to the blood. These capillaries merge to form small veins. The small veins merge to form the renal veins, which return purified blood to your circulatory system. The liquid left behind flows into collecting tubules in each kidney. This waste liquid is referred to as urine, or the more common "house name," pee.

Your urine is stored in your bladder

 (an elastic, or stretchable, organ) until you use the restroom and the urine passes out through the urethra.

To keep your Urinary System Working, be sure to drink lots of water and stay hydrated!

Pictures Found at

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Human_Physiology/The_Urinary_System  (whole urinary system)

http://www.labcorpsucks.com/blog/  (urine sample)

 http://www.umm.edu/imagepages/8819.htm (kidneys)

http://iahealth.net/bladder/  (bladder)

http://www.wisebread.com/how-to-flush-299-down-the-toilet-and-fish-it-out-again  (toilet)

http://www.colon-cleanse-with-detox-diet.com/drinking-distilled-water.html  (water)

Body System Games

If you want some games to help you practice your body systems, go ahead and follow the links below!!


http://www.kids-activities-learning-games.com/anatomy-games.html




http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/body/





http://www.anatomyarcade.com




Jepordy






(more to come)

Respiratory System

Did you know that it wasn't until about 239 years ago that people found out why air was so important? 


Before we get to far, we need to go over a little bit of terminology. 


Breathing is when fresh air moves into and stale air moves out of your lungs.


Respiration is the chemical reaction that releases energy from glucose.


Sometimes, people mix those up, so I was just clearing it up.


So, if you haven't figured it out yet, we are going to be talking about the Respiratory System. 


The Respiratory System is made up of many parts, including lungs, bronchi, nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, and trachea.


The lungs are two sack-like respiratory organs that remove carbon dioxide and provide oxygen to the blood. 

Bronchi is two main branches of the trachea leading directly to the lungs. (See picture above)












The nasal cavity is the inside of the nose, 2 cavities between the cranium and roof the nose that filters out contaminants and keeps the nose moist.

Your pharynx is a tube like passageway for both food and air.

The  larynx is an airway to which your vocal cords are attached.

Below your larynx is your trachea which is a tube about 12 centimeters long. It sends air to and from the lungs.

Covering your larynx (when you swallow) is your epiglottis which is a thin cartilage flap. It is there to prevent food from entering the trachea.

To take care of your Respiratory System, you need to exercise, stay away from polluted air and second hand smoke, and of course, DON'T smoke.










Pictures Found At

http://www.alpha1health.com/patients-and-families/about-alpha-1/the-respiratory-system.html (picture on top)

http://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/respiratory/passages/nose.html  (Nasal Cavity)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19595.htm  (Epiglottis)

http://www.homebusinessandfamilylife.com/larynx.html   (larynx)

http://medicine.med.nyu.edu/pulmonary/node/655   (bronchi and lungs)

http://www.singingforsnorers.com/faq.htm   (Pharynx)

http://www.webmd.com/lung/picture-of-the-trachea  (trachea)

Circulatory System

How does blood get to different parts of your body? How do oxygen and nutrients get to your cells? And what makes it so waste and carbon dioxide doesn't build up in your cells making you sick?


All of those questions are answered thanks to the Circulatory System!


A lot of the credit goes to the heart.

The heart sends blood around your body. Your blood has lots of nutrients and oxygen that the body needs to thrive. Blood also carries away waste. Your heart fills with blood and then with each pump it squirts it through  the artery, sending all throughout your body. Your heart should get a lot of credit. It pumps day and night, constantly, keeping you alive. 

The heart has 4 chambers. The two upper chambers are the left and right atria. The two lower chambers are the left and right ventricles.

There is a valve separating each atrium from the ventricle. That way blood only flows from atrium to atrium and ventricle to ventricle.


Veins (blood vessels that move blood to the heart), have a one-way valve to keep blood moving toward the heart. If there is a backward movement of the blood, the pressure of the blood closes the valves. Veins that are near skeletal muscles are squeezed when these muscles contract. This action helps blood move toward the heart. blood in veins carries waste materials from cells and is therefore low in oxygen.

Artery (Left) Vein (Right)
Capillaries are microscopic blood vessels that connect arteries and veins. The walls of the capillaries are only one cell thick. Nutrients and oxygen diffuse to body cells through the thin capillary walls. Waste materials and carbon dioxide move from body cells into the capillaries to be carried back to the heart.

Capillaries

To take care of your Circulatory System, you shouldn't eat foods that are high in cholesterol or saturated fats. You shouldn't smoke, try to reduce your stress, and with most systems, you need to exercise so you don' become overweight.

Pictures Found At

http://carolguze.com/text/102-19-tissuesorgansystems.shtml   (circulatory system)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/heart.htm  (heart)

http://cardioanatomy.tumblr.com/post/4672205732/arteries-vs-veins-arteries-arteries-have-three  (vein and artery)

http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/ss/capillary.htm   (capillary)

http://www.whokilledbambi.co.uk/2011/02/teddy-bear-blood-bag/   (blood bag)

http://inspirations786.wordpress.com/2011/11/15/four-chambers-of-heart-islamic-polygamy-of-up-to-four-wives-and-miracle-of-allah/   (heart chambers)

http://www.whygogreentoday.com/inculcating-good-habits-to-prevent-smoking-and-go-green/  (no smoking)

Digestive System

       Do you ever wonder how your food is broken down after it's eaten? Well, you can give the credit to the Digestive System!


      Your Digestive System is made up of many parts of the body.


It Starts Here------------------> 


The Mouth

Then, the Salivary Glands help to break down the food to make it easier for our body to absorb the nutrients

Then it travels down the Esophagus and goes to the Stomach. In the Stomach, the Pancreas (a gland near the stomach) gives off digestive fluid.

The Stomach then stores the food, breaks the food into a liquidy mixture, and slowly empty the contents into the Small Intestine.

In the Small Intestine breaks down the liquidy food mixture more so your body can get all the nutrients, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. 


The next step is where the nutrients and waste go their separate ways.


The nutrient rich blood goes on to different parts of your body. In the Liver there is a pear shaped muscle located in under the right lobe of the Liver. This is called the gallbladder. The gallbladder stores a liquid that is given off by the liver. This liquid is called bile. Bile helps to absorb and digest fats.

For the waste products, they find their way to the Large Intestine. The waste goes through the part of the large intestine called the Colon. There the body has its last chance of getting nutrients and some minerals.

After the last bits of water are removed, the waste gets harder, eventually becoming solid. You might know this product as stool, bowel movement, or just plain old poop. 

The Large Intestine pushes the poop into the rectum. The poop then stays in the rectum until you use the restroom. You get rid of the waste by pushing it out your anus.

So, overall, the Digestive System gets rid of waste and excess water and salts. It breaks down food into small molecules so they can move through blood to the cells.


To take care of your Digestive System, you should eat lots of veggies, eat fruit, and be sure to get food from each food group.

Pictures Found At-


http://sciencewithme.com/learn-about-digestive-system/  (digestive system)


http://www.simoncollister.com/category/word-of-mouth/   (mouth)

http://myfamilydentalblog.com/2011/07/29/salivary-gland-problems/   (Salivary Gland)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/8756.htm   (Esophagus)

http://mset.rst2.edu/portfolios/r/riley_j/Brains/Final/SmallIntestine.html  (small intestine)

http://hepatitis.about.com/od/overview/ig/Organs-of-Digestive-System/Large-Intestine.htm (large intestine)

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/pancreatitis/article_em.htm  (Pancreas, gall bladder)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/9390.htm   (rectum/anus)

http://www.mobilecrazy.asia/apps/wallpaper/cartoon/32490-Cartoon-Poop.html?id=32490&type=2  (poop)

http://www.nku.edu/~dempseyd/HEART_1.htm