We have lots of different organs in our bodies, and some of them work alongside others to perform certain functions. We put these into systems that explain a function we have, such as digestion, breathing or circulation of our blood. There are 12 systems in our body, one of which works outside the body, and a few which interact with each other to keep our body working efficiently.
Use this quick set of links to find a section you want.
The system that remains in control at all times, the central nervous system is a series of organs that work together to help you with your senses.
The brain never stops working, even when you're sleeping. The brain controls functions such as movement, what we think, how we feel and many more functions.
Nerves are cells that sense things we touch, relay messages to and from the brain and work around our body to enable us to move, and also carry out automatic functions like breathing or pumping blood around the body.
The eye allows us to see things, and they are quite complex. We actually see things upside down, and it's the interaction with the brain that flips it the other way up.
The ear allows us to hear things, and it is home to the smallest bone in the body.
A cord that runs through the middle of the backbone, the spinal cord is protected and runs all the way down the back.
The respiratory system is about how we breathe, and the organs that help us to do this.
Two sacs that fill with air every second of the day, the lungs are key to providing us with the oxygen we need to survive and create energy.
Respiration occurs on the cellular level, and creates small amounts of energy. It also produces lactic acid, which can be fatal if too much is made in one instance.
The circulatory system pumps blood around our body, and allows gas exchange between the lungs and also any place in the body that need oxygen.
We have a control in our body that allows us to maintain a constant temperature. If there is a problem, our body reacts using this centre.
The heart is a an organ that is made up of smooth tissues that contract and pump blood away from the heart to places it is needed.
A pacemaker is fitted to someone that requires a regular heartbeat, and who doesn't have one.
Atherosclerosis is a heart disease whereby the arteries are closed in because of plaque or buildup of cholesterol.
Blood vessels are the transport network for moving blood around our body.
The digestive system is where we break food down to create energy, and how it is processed.
How does our body break down the food, and why does it need to? What happens to the food when it does break down?
A metabolism varies from person to person, and can be high, or low. Lots of factors surround metabolism, like how warm you are, how much you weigh, and more.
Enzymes break down our food to create the proteins we need to survive. There are over 5000 enzymes in your body, and each one breaks down a certain protein.
Peristalsis is the movement of food through a tube, and is the muscle movement of both the eosophagus and the intestine.
Lock and key theory is where a protein is broken down by the right enzyme. If the protein doesn't fit, it won't be broken down by the enzyme.
Find out about the immune system, and the different lines of defence your body has.
A look at how vaccinations work, from their inception to implementing them in the wider world.
Our body has three lines of defence, starting with our hair and nails, and then internally.
Developed as penicillin during the first half of the 20th Century, antibiotics help remove bacterial pathogens from our body.
A look at the internal systems within the reproductive system.
A woman goes through what is commonly known as a period, a time of 28 days, where the uterus lining thickens, and when not needed, it is removed.
Pregnancy lasts, on average for 9 months, and this time is split into three trimesters.
If you don't want to get pregnant, there a variety of ways to do this using contraception.
Infertility can occur because of many reasons, and is the cause of several factors. It can be treated.
This section is not ready yet, but you can click on the link for the Reproductive System.
Variation happens when something changes within our genetic code, and includes dominant and recessive genes.
The endocrine system is a series of glands and organs that work together to release hormones into the body, and regulate your homeostasis.
Your body needs to stay at the correct temperature. Too hot, and your body reacts. Too cold, and again, your body reacts.
Homeostasis is the regulation and control of balance within your body, to make sure everything is working as it should at all times.
Diabetes comes in two forms, Type 1 and Type 2. One can be controlled with a proper diet, and the other requires an injection in order to control the amount of insulin in your body.
We need some form of protection from dirt and other foreign bodies, and that involves nails, hair and your skin.
Our hair does a lot more than just get styled, plaited and combed. It provides a layer of protection from dirt getting into places it shouldn't.
Our skin is the largest organ of the body. It forms a layer of protection of everything inside, from everything outside.
We have nails to help protect our fingers and toes from things like getting them stuck in places (like a door), and they are made of keratin.
We have a series of glands that work for the outside of our body. They include glands that produce sweat and minerals that lay on our skin to help cool us down.
A series of organs that work to process toxins and waste material from the blood and excrete them from your body.
The kidneys are shaped like a bean, and process the blood for toxins and waste materials, and send it to the bladder.
The bladder is a storing organ for processed urine. It releases the urine through the urethra.
The adrenal glands produce hormones which help control your metabolism and also give a response to stress.
The urethra is a small pipe that extends from the bladder to the reproductive organs that then expel the urine.
Water infections can occur for many reasons, and they can cause issues with the kidneys and bladder.
The Lymphatic system works to move excess water, remove damaged cells and filter the blood around the body.
Lymph itself is a fluid, which is similar to water, which is moved around the body where it is needed.
Nodes monitor and clean the lymph as it filters through them. They remove any damaged cells.
Similar to the circulatory system, the lymphatic system has a series of vessels that transport the water back to the collecting ducts.
The two collecting ducts in your body help to store the excess water until it is needed to be moved somewhere within the circulatory system.
The largest lymphatic organ, the spleen filters and stores blood, as well as creating white blood cells.
The thymus matures certain white blood cells ready for use in the circulatory system.
Bone Marrow is an important part of the Lymphatic System because it creates white blood cells in response to infections.
The appendix has no real use for humans, but can get infected and cause appendicitis, which can be treated.
Our bones are important, as without them, we would not be able to stand. This introduces you to the skeletal system. This is also a link to the section entitled Skeletal System.
The muscular system allows us to move, and also gives us tone of body.
There are different types of muscles, from smooth ones to fibrous ones.
Your facial muscles are not connected to any bone, so as we get older, they slowly slip down our face.
Antagonistic muscles are pairs of muscles that work in tandem to push and pull parts of your body around.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
