All of the body systems are fascinating and downright miraculous, but none more so than the systems discussed in this study unit. Part 1 discusses the endocrine system, Part 2 discusses the circulatory system, and Part 3 discusses the respiratory system.
The endocrine system is kind of like a baseball team. The members (glands) are spread throughout the field (body), each member providing a distinctive, separate contribution to the overall success of the game (homeostasis). The endocrine team even has a “head coach,” the part of the brain called the hypothalamus!
Composed of both the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems, the circulatory system is like a complex highway system, transporting substances to and from cells throughout the body. Fuelled by a living pump called the heart, blood travels through arteries, veins, and capillaries. Lymphatic vessels compose a separate but connected network to carry lost blood plasma back into the vascular system, cleansing it and contributing immune cells along the way.
In the final part of this study unit, you’ll learn about the respiratory system. By now you know that the respiratory system requires oxygen to help the body breathe, but you might be surprised to learn that it also keeps the body healthy by acting as a barrier to bacteria.
When you complete this study material, you’ll be able to:
- Describe the overall function of the endocrine, circulatory, and respiratory systems
- Identify the major structures within each of these three systems
- Explain the functions of the structures within each system
- Define terms related to these systems
