SCIENCE NOTES

CHAPTER 2: Major Organ

Systems
In an animal body, there are groups of organs (organs are made of different
kinds of tissues, which are a group of the same cells) which work together to
keep the organism alive. These groups are called organ systems and
perform tasks related to many types of life processes.

Skeletal system Ex: bones
Muscle system Ex: biceps muscle
Circulatory system Ex: heart
Respiratory system Ex: lungs
Digestive system Ex: stomach, small intestine
Nervous system Ex: brain, spinal cord
Excretory system Ex: kidneys, bladder
Sensory system Ex: eyes, ears
Endocrine system Ex: adrenal glands



SKELETAL SYSTEM (1/3)
Skeletal System (2/3)
The skeleton provides us with protection and support. It also enables movement.

Protection
The brain and spinal cord form the central nervous system. They are made of soft
tissue. Since this is so, they are especially vulnerable and require protection. The
brain is protected by the skull whereas the spinal cord is protected by vertebrae
(singular: vertebra). There are 33 vertebrae, which make up our backbone. The
ribs and backbone form a protective structure around our heart and lungs.
Support
The organs that form systems account for 20% of our weight. They are made of soft
material, and have no strong supporting material. The bones support our body
structure are allow our organs to be evenly spread without getting squashed. Our
muscles, also made from soft tissue, gain support from the bones, to which they
are attached.
Movement (**IMPORTANT)
The place where bones meet is called a joint. In some joints, the bones are fused
together and cannot move (Ex: skull). In most cases, the joints allow some
movement. The most common joints are hinge joints and ball-and-socket
joints. (Continue next page)
Skeletal System (3/3)
(Continuation from last page) Hinge joints, such as the elbow or knee, can move
in only one direction, forwards or backwards. Ball-and-socket joints,
however, are named as such because one end of a bone is shaped round like
a ball and fits in the round, cup-like socket, allowing freer and more
movement. Examples are the hip and shoulder.









To stop bones from coming apart, they are held together by fibers called ligaments.
To stop bones from wearing out due to friction as they rub against each other,
bones are covered with cartilage, a hard, slippery surface that reduced friction
and allows bones to move against each other easily. In some joints, like the hip,
cells in a tissue called synovial membrane make a liquid called synovial fluid.
This fluid spreads over the surface of a cartilage and acts like a lubricant,
reducing friction and wear.