Human Anatomy & Physiology
In this section, you will be introduced to the major organ systems of the human body. It is important to have a fundamental understanding of how your body works including how nutrition affects the major organ systems. The following links will take you to the various organ systems listed below and will provide you with a fundamental understanding of each system. This section is meant to provide a very basic understanding of human anatomy and physiology. For more detailed and extensive information, please visit the Khan Academy Human Anatomy & Physiology section.
The circulatory system, also called the cardiovascular system or the vascular system, is an organ system that permits blood to circulate and transport nutrients (such as amino acids and electrolytes), oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and blood cells to and from the cells in the body to provide nourishment and help in fighting diseases, stabilize temperature and pH, and maintain homeostasis.
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Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circulatory_system
The respiratory system (also respiratory apparatus, ventilatory system) is a biological system consisting of specific organs and structures used for gas exchange in animals and plants.
Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_system
The urinary system, also known as the renal system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra. Each kidney consists of millions of functional units called nephrons. The purpose of the renal system is to eliminate wastes from the body, regulate blood volume and blood pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites, and regulate blood pH.
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Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinary_system
The gastrointestinal tract is an organ system within humans and other animals which takes in food, digests it to extract and absorb energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste as feces.
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Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrointestinal_tract
The nervous system is the part of an animal that coordinates its actions by transmitting signals to and from different parts of its body. The nervous system detects enviromental changes that impact the body, then works in tandem with the endocrine system to respond to such events.
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Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nervous_system
The muscular system is an organ system consisting of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles. It permits movement of the body, maintains posture, and circulates blood throughout the body. Together with the skeletal system it forms the musculoskeletal system, which is responsible for movement of the human body.
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Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscular_system
The human skeleton is the internal framework of the body. It is composed of around 270 bones at birth – this total decreases to around 206 bones by adulthood after some bones get fused together. The human skeleton performs six major functions; support, movement, protection, production of blood cells, storage of minerals, and endocrine regulation.
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Source: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_skeleton