Chapter 20 Unifying Concepts of Animal Structure and Function

 

I. The Structural Organization of Animals

1. In animals, individual cells are grouped into tissues, which are in turn grouped into organs, which participate in systems, which together make up the entire organism.

2. Parts of the body at each level of the hierarchy act together to perform the functions of life.

3. Anatomy is the study of the structure of an organism, while physiology is the study of the functions an organism performs.

4. Structure and function are correlated at all levels of biological organization.

5. Tissues are groups of cells with a common structure and function.

(1)  Epithelial tissue (epithelium; plural form epithelia) covers the outside of the body, and linings of organs and cavities within the body.

1) Simple squamous epithelium (lining the air sacs of the lung)

2) Simple cuboidal epithelium (forming a tube in the kidney)

3) Simple columnar epithelium (lining the intestines)

4) Stratified squamous epithelium (lining the esophagus)

(1)  Connective tissue functions mainly to bind and support other tissues.

1)    Loose connective tissue: the most widespread

2)    Fibrous connective tissue: tendons and ligaments

3)    Adipose tissue: fat storage

4)    Cartilage: secreted by chondrocytes

5)    Bone (skeleton)

6)    Blood

(2)  Muscle tissue functions in movement.

Muscle tissue is composed of muscle fibers that are capable of contracting when stimulated by nerve impulses.

1) Skeletal muscle (striated muscle)

2) Cardiac muscle: wall of the heart

3) Smooth muscle (non-striated muscle)

(3)  Nervous tissue forms a communication network.

Nervous tissue senses stimuli and transmits signals.  The functional unit of nervous tissue is the neuron (nerve cell), containing dendrite, soma and axon.

6. Organs are made up of tissues.

An organ consists of two or more tissues packaged into one working unit that performs a specific function, for example, heart, brain, and intestine.

7. Organ system is a group of organs that work together in performing vital body functions.

(1)    Circulatory system

(2)    Respiratory system

(3)    Integumentary system

(4)    Skeletal system

(5)    Muscular system

(6)    Urinary system

(7)    Digestive system

(8)    Endocrine system

(9)    Lymphatic system

(10) Immune system

(11) Nervous system

(12) Reproductive system

II. Exchanges with the External Environment

1. Organisms contain open systems that interact continuously with their environments.

2. In complex animals, it requires exchange between the external environment and the internal environment.

III. Regulating the Internal Environment

1. Homeostasis is a dynamic state and means internal balance, steady state or constant internal environment, for example, 37¢J body temperature, pH 7.4 in blood and 0.1% sugar in blood.

2. Homeostasis is maintained by negative and positive feedbacks.