Human Body Organization
Levels of Organization
The human body has several levels
of organization:
Cells of the same type joined
together are called TISSUES
Different Tissues are joined together
to form ORGANS
Various organs are arranged into an
ORGAN SYSTEM
Lets look at tissues first...
four major types of tissues in the human body:
EPITHELIAL:
covers body surfaces and
lines body cavities
CONNECTIVE:
binds and supports body
parts
MUSCULAR: causes parts to move
NERVOUS: responds to stimuli and transmits
impulses from one body part to another
EPITHELIAL TISSUES:
covers body, lines cavities
covers entire body
surface and most of the
body's inner cavities.
outer epidermis (skin)
protects from injury
and drying out
inner epidermal tissue,
on internal surfaces
protects, secretes
mucus (e.g. along
digestive tract)
Types:
1. Squamous
Epithelium:
Function in
protection,
diffusion, filtration.
Made of flat cells.
Lines alveoli and
walls of capillaries,
blood vessels.
Capillary Structure
Cuboid Epithelium
function in
secretion and
absorption,
protection. cube
shaped cells. e.g.
line kidney tubules,
surface of ovaries.
Lining of Kidney
Columnar Epithelium
column-shaped. Often have
microvilli or cilia to aid
function. e.g. lining of
intestine, oviduct lining,
lining of uterus.
Each type can exist as a
single layer or be stratified
(layers stacked on top of
each other). e.g. mouth,
nose, vagina lined by
stratified squamous
epithelium.
Pseudostratified
Columnar: appear to be
layered but is really just one
layer of cells. e.g. lining of
respiratory tract.
PSEUDOSTRATIFIED COLUMNAR
Simple Squamous
Function
Filtration,
diffusion, osmosis
Location
Oral cavity,
lining of blood
vessels
Simple Cuboidal
Function
Secretion,
absorption
Location
Surface of
ovaries, linings
of kidney
tubules
Simple Columnar
Function
Protection,
secretion,
absorption
Location
Lining of
Uterus, tubes
of the
digestive tract
Pseudostratified Columnar
Function
Protection,
secretion,
movement of
mucus and
sex cells
Location
Linings of
respiratory
passages,
various tubes
of the
reproductive
systems
Stratified Squamous
Function
Protection
Location
Outer layers
of skin,
vagina, and
anal canal
CONNECTIVE TISSUE
: connects
organs
Functions
bind
structures
together
fill up
spaces
provide
support and
protection
store fat
Structure
cells in connective
tissue usually in
MATRIX (a noncellular material
found between
cells) usually made
up of either
collagen or
elastin.
Elastin
Fiber
Collagen
Fiber
Cell within
Matrix
Structure of Loose Connective Tissue
Types of Connective Tissue:
1. Loose: join
tissues, hold
organs in place, fat
storage
Fibrous
bundles of
collagen fibers,
very strong.
Used in tendons
(connect muscle to
bone) and
ligaments
(connect bones to
other joints.
Cartilage
has flexible
matrix rich
in protein
and fibers.
e.g. nose,
ears,
vertebrae,
ends of
bones.
Bone:
rigid connective
tissue. Matrix of
calcium salts.
Blood
5. : matrix is
liquid called
plasma.
Muscle Tissue: Contracts
for Movement
muscle tissue is composed of fibers
made of actin and myosin proteins
(among other helper proteins)
whose interaction is responsible for
movement.
There are 3 Distinct
Types:
Skeletal Muscle
Striated, Voluntary
Smooth Muscle
non-striated, Involuntary
Cardiac Muscle
Striated, Involuntary
SKELETAL MUSCLE: striated
(alternating light and dark bands)
attached to bones, used for
movement, voluntary control.
Can contract quickly and strongly
but will fatigue in time.
SMOOTH MUSCLE: non-striated,
involuntary control, found in
walls of internal organs, intestine,
stomach, blood vessels. Contracts
more slowly, but can contract over
a longer period of time.
CARDIAC MUSCLE: striated,
involuntary, forms heart muscle.
Found only in the heart. Can
contract quickly, and beats your
whole life through.
Nervous Tissue: Conduct
Electrochemical Messages
specialized tissue that forms
nerves, brain, spinal cord
conduct electrical & chemical
messages along special cells called
neurons. Composed of cell body,
dendrites (conduct messages to
cell body), axon (send messages
away from cell body).
Cell Body
Axon
Synaptic Endings
Dendrite
Structure of a Neuron (in this case, a motor neuron)
axons and dendrites are nerve
fibers. Bundles of nerve fibers are
called nerves.
Nerves conduct messages to and
from spinal cord, brain, and sense
organs to register sensation and
trigger muscle movement.
What are Glands?
Gland: a single cell, or a collection of cells
that secrete something
i. Exocrine glands: secrete into ducts.
e.g. the gall bladder is an exocrine gland
because it secretes bile in a duct. Sweat
glands are exocrine glands.
ii. Endocrine glands: secrete chemicals
(especially hormones) into bloodstream
(e.g. pituitary gland, pancreas secretes
insulin into the blood).
GLIAL cells are cells that surround
nerve cells. They help to support,
protect, and nourish nerve cells.
They provide nutrients to the
neurons and help keep the tissue
free of debris.
ORGANS: Tissues working
together
organs (e.g. the heart) are
made up of one or more
types of tissues (usually
more).
SKIN is also an example of
an organ. It is your largest
organ, and has several
tissue layers.
Skin covers body surfaces,
gives protection from
water loss and invasion by
microorganisms, contains
sense organs, helps to
regulate body temperature
Skin is made up of Three
Layers.
Epidermis: is outer layer.
Composed of
stratified squamous
epithelial cells.
Basal cells at base of this layer
produce new cells.
Pigment cells (melanocytes)
here produce melanin,
responsible for skin colour.
Keratin protein hardens skin
cells. (Hair & nails are made of
tightly packed keratinized cells).
Dermis: middle layer. Loose
connective tissue with many
elastic fibers. Sweat glands,
nerve endings, blood vessels,
and hair follicles located here.
Subcutaneous Layer: bottom
layer. Loose connective tissue
containing adipose cells (fat!)
D
F
Human Organ Systems
each located in specific location, with
specific functions. (e.g. digestive
system).
many internal organ systems enclosed
within coelom, a cavity within the body.
organ systems contribute to
maintaining a stable internal
environment (homeostasis). e.g.
Temp, pH, [glucose], blood pressure.
1. Digestive
convert food to usable nutrients
2. Circulatory
transport of necessary molecules to cells
3. Immune
defense against invading pathogens
4. Respiratory
gas exchange
5. Excretory
gets rid of metabolic wastes
6. Nervous & Sensory
regulation and control, response to stimuli, processing
information
7. Muscular & Skeletal
support and movement
8. Hormonal
regulation of internal environment, development
9. Reproductive
producing offspring
