Unit 9: Additional Human Body Systems

Unit 9: More Human Body Systems

Body systems are groups of organs and tissues that work together to perform important jobs for the body. Some organs may be part of more than one body system, if they serve more than one function.

All body systems are necessary for life to be sustained. In this article we’ll focus on the systems of the human body – similar systems are required by all animals, but the details of how they accomplish their tasks may vary.

Functions that must be performed by an animal to stay alive include:

• Must be able to take in oxygen for use in cellular respiration, and excrete waste carbon dioxide.
• Must be able to ingest and process food to obtain sugars and other nutrients.
• Must be able to transport necessary substances, such as oxygen and nutrients, to all cells.
• Must be able to clear toxic waste products from the body.
• Must be able to respond to to the environment.
• Must protect the body’s organs from the environment.
• Must be able to fight infections.