Think of the most intricately designed machine…
…or the smartest gadget you’ll ever hope to own…
…and still none of them can ever compare to the human body.
Our bodies are marvels of design and engineering and it has built-in instructions on how to survive and thrive in the world we live in today.
To do that, our body has systems — groups of organs that work together to do specific tasks that will benefit the body as a whole, kind of like how a company has different departments that do different jobs, or a school has different people in charge of different things, or family members have different chores around the house.
I’m sure you have your own book about the different organ systems of the human body, but here’s a quick summary of what they do and what organs they include.
The skeletal system is made up of the bones that serve as your body’s framework and protect your most important organs. Your bones also has other jobs, which you will learn more about when you dig deeper into the skeletal system.
The muscular system is made up of the muscles that let your body move. There are three main types of muscles: the skeletal, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscles. We’ll learn more about those when we focus on the muscular system.
The digestive system is in charge of taking food in, breaking it down, and absorbing from it the nutrients that your body needs to survive. It also gets rid of whatever is left behind after all the useful stuff from food has been taken in by your body.
The respiratory system includes your lungs and airways, which are responsible for taking in the oxygen your body needs. It also gets rid of carbon dioxide when you breathe out.
The circulatory system includes your heart and blood vessels, which are in charge of delivering food and oxygen to every part of your body. It also picks up the things that your cells no longer need and takes them to where they can be disposed.
The urinary system is in charge of cleaning your blood and getting rid of waste through your urine. It includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. It’s also sometimes called the renal system, but since renal mostly means the kidneys, and there are other organs in the system, we’ll stick to calling it the urinary system.
The nervous system has two main parts: the central nervous system, which includes your brain and your spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which is made up of the nerves all over your body. Your nerves tell your brain what’s going on around you and pass along instructions on what to do from your brain to the rest of your body.
The endocrine system is made up of organs called glands, which make hormones that control the way your body works, changes, and grows. Examples of glands include the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, and the pancreas.
The immune system gives your body the tools it needs to kill germs and fight infectious diseases. It includes the lymphatic system.
The reproductive system is in charge of creating babies to keep the human species going.
Finally, the integumentary system is made up of your skin and the things in it (like your hair and nails). Your skin protects your body, lets it maintain the right temperature, and gives you your sense of touch.
Ready to test what you know of your body systems? Answer the worksheets below!