{"id":42,"date":"2021-12-07T05:09:27","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T05:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.publishdot.com\/anatomyphysiology\/?post_type=chapter&p=42"},"modified":"2021-12-07T05:18:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T05:18:00","slug":"1-2-structural-organisation-of-the-human-body","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.publishdot.com\/anatomyphysiology\/chapter\/1-2-structural-organisation-of-the-human-body\/","title":{"raw":"1.2 Structural Organisation of the Human Body","rendered":"1.2 Structural Organisation of the Human Body"},"content":{"raw":"
\r\n

Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\nBy the end of this section, you will be able to:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Describe the structure of the human body in terms of six levels of organisation<\/li>\r\n \t
  • List the eleven organ systems of the human body and identify at least one organ and one major function of each<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nBefore you begin to study the different structures and functions of the human body, it is helpful to consider its basic architecture; that is, how its smallest parts are assembled into larger structures. It is convenient to consider the structures of the body in terms of fundamental levels of organisation that increase in complexity: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms and biosphere (Figure 1.2.1).\r\n
    \"Levels
    Figure 1.2.1<\/strong>.\u00a0Levels of structural organisation of the human body<\/strong>. The organisation of the body often is discussed in terms of six distinct levels of increasing complexity, from the smallest chemical building blocks to a unique human organism.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

    The Levels of Organisation<\/h2>\r\nTo study the chemical level of organisation, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, familiar examples of which are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and iron. The smallest unit of any of these pure substances (elements) is an atom. Atoms are made up of subatomic particles such as the proton, electron and neutron. Two or more atoms combine to form a molecule, such as the water molecules, proteins, and sugars found in living things. Molecules are the chemical building blocks of all body structures.\r\n\r\nA\u00a0cell<\/strong>\u00a0is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism. Even bacteria, which are extremely small, independently-living organisms, have a cellular structure. Each bacterium is a single cell. All living structures of human anatomy contain cells, and almost all functions of human physiology are performed in cells or are initiated by cells.\r\n\r\nA human cell typically consists of flexible membranes that enclose cytoplasm, a water-based cellular fluid together with a variety of tiny functioning units called organelles. In humans, as in all organisms, cells perform all functions of life. A\u00a0tissue<\/strong>\u00a0is a group of many similar cells (though sometimes composed of a few related types) that work together to perform a specific function. An\u00a0organ<\/strong>\u00a0is an anatomically distinct structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types. Each organ performs one or more specific physiological functions. An\u00a0organ system<\/strong>\u00a0is a group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet physiological needs of the body.\r\n\r\nThis book covers eleven distinct organ systems in the human body (Figure 1.2.2\u00a0and\u00a0Figure 1.2.3). Assigning organs to organ systems can be imprecise since organs that \u201cbelong\u201d to one system can also have functions integral to another system. In fact, most organs contribute to more than one system.\r\n\r\n \r\n
    \"Organ
    Figure 1.2.2<\/strong>.\u00a0Organ systems of the human body<\/strong>. Organs that work together are grouped into organ systems.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n \r\n
    \"Organ
    Figure 1.2.3<\/strong>.\u00a0Organ systems of the human body (continued).<\/strong>\u00a0Organs that work together are grouped into organ systems.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\nThe\u00a0organism<\/strong>\u00a0level is the highest level of organisation. An organism is a living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life. In multicellular organisms, including humans, all cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body work together to maintain the life and health of the organism.\r\n
    \r\n

    Section Review<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

    \r\n\r\nLife processes of the human body are maintained at several levels of structural organisation. These include the chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and the organism level. Higher levels of organisation are built from lower levels. Therefore, molecules combine to form cells, cells combine to form tissues, tissues combine to form organs, organs combine to form organ systems and organ systems combine to form organisms.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Review Questions<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

    \r\n
    \r\n
    [h5p id=\"9\"]<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
    \r\n

    Critical Thinking Question<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

    \r\n
    \r\n
    [h5p id=\"10\"]<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\nClick the drop down below to review the terms learned from this chapter.\r\n
    \r\n
    [h5p id=\"11\"]<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"
    \n
    \n

    Learning Objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/header>\n

    \n

    By the end of this section, you will be able to:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Describe the structure of the human body in terms of six levels of organisation<\/li>\n
    • List the eleven organ systems of the human body and identify at least one organ and one major function of each<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      Before you begin to study the different structures and functions of the human body, it is helpful to consider its basic architecture; that is, how its smallest parts are assembled into larger structures. It is convenient to consider the structures of the body in terms of fundamental levels of organisation that increase in complexity: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms and biosphere (Figure 1.2.1).<\/p>\n

      \"Levels
      Figure 1.2.1<\/strong>.\u00a0Levels of structural organisation of the human body<\/strong>. The organisation of the body often is discussed in terms of six distinct levels of increasing complexity, from the smallest chemical building blocks to a unique human organism.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      The Levels of Organisation<\/h2>\n

      To study the chemical level of organisation, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, familiar examples of which are hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and iron. The smallest unit of any of these pure substances (elements) is an atom. Atoms are made up of subatomic particles such as the proton, electron and neutron. Two or more atoms combine to form a molecule, such as the water molecules, proteins, and sugars found in living things. Molecules are the chemical building blocks of all body structures.<\/p>\n

      A\u00a0cell<\/strong>\u00a0is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism. Even bacteria, which are extremely small, independently-living organisms, have a cellular structure. Each bacterium is a single cell. All living structures of human anatomy contain cells, and almost all functions of human physiology are performed in cells or are initiated by cells.<\/p>\n

      A human cell typically consists of flexible membranes that enclose cytoplasm, a water-based cellular fluid together with a variety of tiny functioning units called organelles. In humans, as in all organisms, cells perform all functions of life. A\u00a0tissue<\/strong>\u00a0is a group of many similar cells (though sometimes composed of a few related types) that work together to perform a specific function. An\u00a0organ<\/strong>\u00a0is an anatomically distinct structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types. Each organ performs one or more specific physiological functions. An\u00a0organ system<\/strong>\u00a0is a group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet physiological needs of the body.<\/p>\n

      This book covers eleven distinct organ systems in the human body (Figure 1.2.2\u00a0and\u00a0Figure 1.2.3). Assigning organs to organ systems can be imprecise since organs that \u201cbelong\u201d to one system can also have functions integral to another system. In fact, most organs contribute to more than one system.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"Organ
      Figure 1.2.2<\/strong>.\u00a0Organ systems of the human body<\/strong>. Organs that work together are grouped into organ systems.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

       <\/p>\n

      \"Organ
      Figure 1.2.3<\/strong>.\u00a0Organ systems of the human body (continued).<\/strong>\u00a0Organs that work together are grouped into organ systems.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      The\u00a0organism<\/strong>\u00a0level is the highest level of organisation. An organism is a living being that has a cellular structure and that can independently perform all physiologic functions necessary for life. In multicellular organisms, including humans, all cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems of the body work together to maintain the life and health of the organism.<\/p>\n

      \n
      \n

      Section Review<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/header>\n

      \n

      Life processes of the human body are maintained at several levels of structural organisation. These include the chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and the organism level. Higher levels of organisation are built from lower levels. Therefore, molecules combine to form cells, cells combine to form tissues, tissues combine to form organs, organs combine to form organ systems and organ systems combine to form organisms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      \n
      \n

      Review Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/header>\n

      \n
      \n
      \n
      \n