Earthscie 26

Organ Systems of
Representative Animals
Animals are arguably the most complex organism on this
planet. The body is made up of many, many millions of cells
which you cannot see unless you use a microscope.
Special cells come together to make an organ.
Table 1Cellular Organization
An organ is a complex structure with in the body. It has a
special job or jobs to do. The body system is a group of
parts that work together to serve a common purpose. Each
individual body system works in conjunction with other body
system. It relies on the other systems to work well to
maintain internal stability and balance, otherwise known as
homeostasis.
We are the most amazing organism of all living things who
carries out some functions. The Organ Systems are
interdependent, interconnected, and packaged together in a
relatively small space. Animals are complex organisms with
systems and processes that allow them to carry out
activities to remain in the living condition.
The human body and even the simplest animal is made up
of several organ systems that work as one unit. The major
organ systems of the body work together, either directly or
indirectly, to keep the body functioning normally. The body
is a chemical and physical machine. As such, it is subject to
certain laws. These are sometimes called natural laws.
Each part of the body is engineered to do a particular
function necessary for everyday living.
The Animal Organ Systems
1. Digestive System
Animal nutrition is the process of taking in, taking apart
and taking up the nutrients from the food source. Food
processing has four main stages: Ingestion, Digestion,
Absorption, and Elimination or Egestion.
In animals with complete digestive system, where the
entrance and exit of food and waste are different, they have
different kind of mechanisms of ingestion depending on
their evolutionary adaptation to their food.
Digestive System
In other animals, such as in cnidarians (jellyfish,

anemone, coral) where the entrance and exit of food and
waste is the same, the region where this occurs is called
the gastrovascular cavity.
2. Respiratory System
Gas exchange is very important among animals, as they

require oxygen in the production of higher amount of energy
compared to process of energy production without oxygen.
Air as a respiratory medium. Hence, as air is lighter and
has more oxygen content compared to the same volume of
water, ventilation is not much of a problem
of terrestrial organisms.
2. Respiratory System
The tracheal system of insects- The tracheal system of insects
has a branched network of tracheal tube which responds to the
problem of decreased surface area in the respiratory structure. The
tracheal system opens externally through the side of the insect
through a structure called a spiracle. Air enters and exit through the
spiracles. As the respiratory system of insects are independent from
their circulatory system, gases is directly exchanged through
tracheoles which have extensions that are directly connected to the
cells. Air sacs act like aspirator which takes in and push out air out
of the body of the insects.
The mammalian respiratory system- Compared to insects,
mammals and other organisms have respiratory system
that work together with their circulatory system. Gases are
transported via the bloodstream and are exchanged via
diffusion.
Terrestrial ventilation - The alternating process of inhalation
and exhalation. There are two mechanisms of breathing,
one is positive breathing and the other is
negative breathing. In positive breathing air is pushed into
the lungs, such as in frogs.
3. Circulatory System
There are different ways in which animals transport

substances across their body. In animals with closed
circulatory system, the circulatory fluid does not go out
of the vessel. Exchange occurs through diffusion via thinner
vessels called capillaries across the interstitial fluid.
4. Urinary System
In order to remove wastes, animals have the excretory

system, which enables it to remove excess salt or water in
the body. Waste removal follows the following processes,
1.) filtration, 2.) reabsorption, 3.) secretion, and 4.) excretion
5. Immune System
Defends the internal environment from invading

microorganisms and viruses, as well as cancerous cell
growth. The immune system provides cells that aid in
protection of the body from disease via the antigen/antibody
response. A variety of general responses are also part of
this system.
6. Endocrine System
Hormones are substances which can cause a reaction to a

cell, in Greek it literally means to excite. It is secreted into
extracellular fluid such in blood or lymph and transported to
target cells to elicit a specific response, which can be rapid
or slow.
7. Nervous System
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and

spinal cord, while, the peripheral nervous system is
composed of corresponding structures outside of this
two organs of the nervous system. The central nervous
system is responsible for data/information processing which
is gathered by the peripheral nervous system. Upon
processing, the CNS transmit the message again to the
PNS, which then convey the message for the appropriate
response.
8. Muscular System
The skeletal muscle is organized from its largest structure

(the muscle tissue itself) to its functional unit (the
sarcomere) as a repeating longitudinal structure that
is bound together. Contraction is possible because of the
structural organization of protein molecules that makes up
the sarcomere. When contraction occurs, the sarcomere
shortens and this is reflected in the contraction of a muscle
(you can ask the students to flex their biceps, and ask them
if their muscle shortened).
9. Skeletal System
It provides support and protection, and attachment points

for muscles. The skeletal system provides rigid framework
for movement. It supports and protects the body and body
parts, produces blood cells, and stores minerals.
A clam’s shell is an example of an exoskeleton and the

bones and cartilage in a human is an example of an
endoskeleton.

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Organ Systems of

In other animals, such as in cnidarians (jellyfish,

Gas exchange is very important among animals, as they

There are different ways in which animals transport

In order to remove wastes, animals have the excretory

Defends the internal environment from invading

Hormones are substances which can cause a reaction to a

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and

The skeletal muscle is organized from its largest structure

It provides support and protection, and attachment points

A clam’s shell is an example of an exoskeleton and the

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