Unit 1.

The Organization of the Human Body

1. From cells to organism

Like all living things, human beings are made up of molecules called biomolecules.

Biomolecules are made

up of chemical elements
called bio-elements.
As living organisms, we
carry out different life
functions: nutrition,
reaction to stimuli and
reproduction.
The basic living units
which make up our
body are called cells.
The cell is the structural
and functional unit in
living things. Cells are found in unicellular organisms (made up of one cell) and
multicellular organisms (made up of a few or many cells).

(Goblet cells are a type of cell in the digestive and respiratory tracts that secrete
mucus).
The cells in our body have a basic structure. All cells have the following:
 a membrane: this surrounds the cell.
 cytoplasm: this contains the cell organelles.
 a nucleus: this contains the genetic material.

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Our cells are differentiated, specialised and grouped together to form more complex
structures called tissues. Different tissues group together to form organs, which work
together as systems, and these make up whole organisms.

Activities

1. Answer the questions:

a) What are the three life functions that living organisms carry out?
The three life functions are Nutricions,reactions to stimuli and reproduction.

b) What is the basic living unit that makes up our body?

The basic living unit is the cell.

c) What are the three main parts of that living unit called?
The three mains parts of that living is a membrane,cytoplasm and a nucleus.

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2. Look at the diagram and label the parts of the cell with the following words:

Golgi apparatus
ribosomes
vacuoles

centrioles mitochondria

nucleus membrane

cytoplasm

lysosomes endoplasmic reticulum

3. Match the functions to the organelles:

a) protein formation4 1. mitochondria

b) energy production 1 2. Golgi apparatus
c) secretion of substances 2 3. vacuoles
d) storage of substances 3 4. ribosomes

4. Complete the words with the missing vowels.

a) lysosome b) cyoskeleton c) centriol_e d) enzyme e) vesicle

5. Underline the correct words in the summary.

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The human body is composed of material / chemical substances called biomolecules /
minerals. These form tissue / cells, which are the basic unit of all organisms and
perform three / fourteen vital functions: nutrition, reaction to stimuli and reproduction.
The human body is therefore a single-celled / multicellular organism.

6. Copy and complete the sentences with the following words.

cytoplasm membrane nucleus vacuoles

a) A membrane is a thin layer that separates the cell from the outside environment.
b) The inside of a cell is called the crytoplasm
c) The nucleous contains all our genetic material.
d) vacuoles are membrane-bound which contain vesicles different substances.

7. Complete the sentences with the correct word.

a) Endoplasmic reticulum forms a network of tubes and ................ (bags / sacs)

b) Endoplasmic reticulum can be rough or ................ (soft / smooth)
c) Vacuoles store different ................ (substances / tissues)
d) Mitochondria have a ................ membrane. (double / single)
e) Mitochondria produce energy through cell ................ (division / respiration).

8. Look at the illustrations and write the names for each part using the words
below.
centrioles mitochondria vacuoles Golgi apparatus

Centrioles mitochondria Vacuoles

Golgi apparatus

9. In pairs, discuss the following question: "Why do you think that the majority of
cells are spherical in shape?" Use phrases below to help you. Give reasons for your
answer.

I think cells are spherical because ...

If they were not spherical ...
Some cells are not spherical because ...
Cells have to ... so they are ...

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2. Tissues and organs

There are different types of cells in our body that perform different functions. Each type
of cell specialises in performing a specific function.
A tissue is a set of the same type of cells from the same origin and with a specific
function:
Tissue Image Function Explanation
Epithelial Protection Epithelial tissue is
the outer covering
of the body, the
skin.

Mucosae Mucosae protects

the internal cavities
(digestive and
respiratory tracts)
and secretes
substances

Adipose Reserves The cells in adipose

tissue accumulate
fat, which acts as a
food reserve.

Bone Supporting the Bone tissue is rigid

body because it contains
mineral salts.

Glandular Secretion Gland tissue

produces and
releases substances
with different
functions.

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Connective Connection Connective tissue
joins other tissues
together and covers
the organs.
Examples are
cartilage, tendons
and ligaments.

Muscle Movement The cells in muscle

tissue contract and
relax causing the
body to move.

Nervous Communication Nerve tissue co-

ordinates the
functions of all the
organs.

An organ is a set of different tissues that come together to perform a specific function.
Organs with related functions are, in turn, organised into systems. Here are some
examples of organs in our body:

Activities

10. Answer the questions:

a) Do all human cells have the same organelles in the same quantity?
It depends on the function.Muscle cells have more mitochondria because they need
more energy.Red blood cells do not have a nucleus.
b) What do all the tissues in our bodies have in common?
All of them are made up of cells.

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c) Which tissue does the following statement refer to? "Its cells are found in all organs,
covering them and joining other tissues".
Ephitelial tissue.

11. Copy and complete the types of tissue with the missing vowels in your exercise
book.
a) muscles
b) connective
c) nervous
d) adipose
e) epithelial

12. Match the types of tissues to their function:

a) mucosae 1. these contract and cause the body to move
b) muscles 2. this is rigid and contains mineral salts
c) bones 3. these protect the internal cavities

Answers: a)....3......... b)........1...... c)...........2..

13. Complete the table with the corresponding nouns:

Verb Noun
protect protection
secrete secretion
connect connection
communicate communication
move movement

14. Underline the correct word in the text:

A(n) cell / organ is a set of different tissues / muscles that come together to perform a
different / specific function.
Tissues / Organs with related functions are, in turn, organised into systems / glands.

15. Look at the pictures and write the names of the organs.

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 Muscle Heart Stomach
Bone

16. Copy and complete the sentences with the following verbs in the present
simple:
cause contract co-ordinate join produce protect secrete

a) Glandular tissue produces and secretes substances with different functions.

b) Connective tissue joins other tissues together.
c) Muscle tissue contracts and causes the body to move.
d) Nervous tissue co-ordinatesthe functions of all the organs.
e) Mucosae protects the inernal cavities.

17. Copy and complete the sentences with following words.

adipose bone connective epithelial glandular mucosae nervous

a) epithelial tissue covers our body.

b) mucosae protect the internal cavities.
c) adipose tissue accumulates fat.
d) bone tissue is rigid.
e) glandular tissue produces and releases substances.
f) connective tissue joins other tissues together.
g) nervous tissue co-ordinates the functions of all our organs.

18. In pairs, discuss the following question: "Why do you think that some living
people can donate a kidney or part of their liver?" Use the phrases below to help
you.

I think they can do this because...

The liver is ... so it can ...
This can be necessary when someone...
This allows the person to ...
I think / don't think this is a good idea because ...

Systems

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A system is a set of different organs, each one with different tissues that take part in one
or several higher functions. The various systems in a human are responsible for carrying
out the different functions that characterise a living organism: nutrition, reaction to
stimuli and reproduction. These systems are:
The nervous system. This receives information from outside and works out suitable
responses. It co-ordinates and unites all the bodily functions.
The endocrine system. This is made up of certain organs that secrete substances called
hormones, which have different effects on our body.
For our body to function properly, it is necessary for all these systems to work together
in a co-ordinate way. Then cells can perform the necessary functions to keep us in good
health.
The skeletal system and the muscle system. These are responsible for a person's
movement. They are formed by bones and muscles, respectively.
The digestive system. It prepares food so that the cells can use it.
The respiratory system. This transports the oxygen, which all cells require, into the
bloodstream.
The circulatory system. This uses blood to distribute nutrients and oxygen among the
cells. It also picks up the unwanted substances produced by cells.
The excretory system. This takes the substances produced by excretion and discharges
them outside the body. It also takes part in regulating the internal environment.
The reproductive system. This is either male or female. It produces gametes and in the
case of the female reproductive system is where the embryo grows.
The nervous system. This is the major controlling, regulatory, and communicating
system in the body. It is the centre of all mental activity including thought, learning, and
memory.

Activities

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19. Label the human body systems:
circulatory, skeletal (skeleton), lymphatic (immune), nervous, reproductive, digestive,
respiratory, endocrine, excretory, muscular

Nervous system Skeletal Circulatory Muscular Lymphatic

Digestive Resoratory Reproductive Endocrine Urinary system

system system system system

20. True (T) o false (F)? Correct the false sentences.

a) Our lungs are involved in nutrition.T
b) Gametes are reproductive organs F
c) Organs are made up of tissues.T
d) Oxygen is involved in the circulatory system.T
e) The endocrine system is responsible for the body's movement.F

21. Classify the words below.

adipose excretory heart epithelial respiratory nerve stomach

Tissue Organ System

22. Look at the diagrams and answer the questions below.

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a) Which systems are they?
b) Write the names of parts 1 to 6 and A to E.

Digestive system parts:

mouth oesophagus liver stomach small intestine large intestine

Respiratory system parts:

nasal cavity trachea left lung heart diaphragm

c) Write a short explanation of each system and what it does.

23. Complete the table with the adjectives.

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 Noun Adjective
digestion
respiration
circulation
excretion
reproduction

24. Underline the correct word in the text.

A body / system is made up of fifteen / several organs with a predominant bone / tissue
whose functions are closely related. The systems in the human body are responsible for
carrying out the three / thirteen vital functions that characterise a living
organism / organ.

25. Place each one of the organs bellow in one of the columns on the table

Circulatory Reproductive Respiratory Digestive Nervous

system system system system system

Heart Blood Eye Testicles/Ovaries Penis/Vagina

Liver Stomach Brain Lungs Trachea

26. Match the following words with their definitions:

Brain, small intestine, heart, stomach, large intestine, diaphragm, kidney, lungs, liver

a) Take in oxygen (O2) and expel carbon dioxide (CO2)…………………………………

b) Muscle that helps us breathe in and out………………………………………………

c) Helps filter waste from the blood………………………………………………………

d) The body’s “control centre”………………………………………………………….

e) Secretes bile that helps digestion………………………………………………………

f) Pumps blood through the body…………………………………………………………

g) Breaks down the food that we eat……………………………………………………

h) Removes the liquid and “leftovers” from digested food……………………………….

i) Absorbs the nutrients from digested food………………………………………………

27. Label the parts of the body in this picture using these words:

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Brain Small intestine Stomach Large intestine

Diaphragm Kidney Heart Lung Liver

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THE HUMAN BODY

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 Word Bank (in alphabetical order)
Act = Actuar Inside = Interior Perform= Realitzar/Realizar
Bellow= Sota/Debajo Filter= Filtrar (función)
Be made up of = Estar Help = Ajudar/Ayudar Pump= Bombar/Bombear
format per/Estar formado por In turn = A la vegada/A su Remove = Treure/Sacar
Bile = Bilis vez Rough = Rugós/Rugoso
Break down= Involve = Involucrar, Secrete= Segregar
Trencar/Romper en pequeños implicar Set =Conjunt/ Conjunto
trozos Isolate = Aillar/Aislar Several = Diversos/Varios/as
Breathe = Respirar Join together = Juntar/Unirse Smooth = Llis/Liso
Carry out = Portar a Label = Nomenar/Poner el Soft = Suau/Suave
terme/Llevar a cabo nombre Store =
Come together = Unir-se/ Layer = Capa Emmagatzemar/Almacenar
Unirse Leftovers = Sobras (comida) Storage =
Contain =Encongir/Contraer Membrane-bound = Que Magatzem/Almacén
Each = Cada poseeix una membrana/Que Surround = Rodejar/Rodear
Environment = Ambient/ tiene membrana Surroundings =
Ambiente Network = Xarxa/Red Voltants/Alrededores
Exchange = Outside = Exterior Through = A través
Intercanvi/Intercambio Place =Posar/ Poner Underline =
Expel = Expulsar Subratllar/Subrayar
Waste = Residus/Residuos

HUMAN BODY SELF -ASSESSMENT Read and write a cross

YES NO NOT
YET
Explain what is a cell.
Identify the main parts of the cell.
Explain the functions of the cell
organelles.
I CAN ... Distinguish different types of cells.
Recognise the different levels of
organization.
Describe the main tissues of the
body.
Explain the function of the body
systems.
Identify the main organs of the body

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